The Ashes 2025-26 series against England faces a significant hurdle with captain Pat Cummins’ back injury casting a shadow over his participation. Australian head coach Andrew McDonald has shed light on the skipper’s recovery from lumbar bone stress, admitting the clock is ticking for the crucial first Test.
Cummins recently had scans that confirmed progress in healing his lower back stress fracture. However, McDonald highlighted the diminishing window for him to be match-fit for the opening encounter in Perth. “We are definitely running out of time around that,” McDonald explained regarding Cummins’ potential involvement. He indicated that a definitive call on his availability for the first Ashes Test will likely be made within the coming week, following further assessment of his training integration.
While the first Test remains a question mark, the coach expressed confidence that Cummins will contribute to the series. “At this stage there’s no thinking that he will be ruled out for the whole series,” McDonald assured. He acknowledged the complexities of recovering from lumbar bone stress, noting that the rehabilitation process involves careful management of training load and recovery patterns. McDonald is hopeful that Cummins’ inclusion in training sessions will provide the necessary information to make an informed judgment about his role in the upcoming battles against England.