Australia’s cricket team will be without their captain, Pat Cummins, for the upcoming limited-overs series against New Zealand and India. Scans have revealed lumbar bone stress, prompting a period of rest and careful management. This will prevent Cummins from playing in October and November. The back problem was detected during routine medical checks following the World Test Championship Final and the West Indies tour earlier this year. While the tests did not uncover any fractures, the bone stress was significant enough to warrant an extended recovery plan. Cummins has been a key figure in the Australian team since becoming captain in November 2021. He has missed only a couple of Tests due to injury during this period, leading the team to success in the WTC, an Ashes series in England, and the ODI World Cup. In recent tours of the Caribbean and England, the 32-year-old bowled over 95 overs in just four Tests, and later experienced back soreness. Earlier in his career, Cummins dealt with recurring stress fractures which hindered his Test career. Since his full return in 2017, he has become a regular feature in the team, playing in 19 of the last 20 Ashes Tests. If Cummins is not fit for the Ashes opener, Scott Boland could join the pace attack. Furthermore, Vice-captain Steve Smith is prepared to lead the team, as he did during the Sri Lanka tour last year, if Cummins is unavailable to play.
Cummins’ Back Injury: Concerns Grow as Australian Captain Faces Absence from Key Cricket Matches
