Pat Cummins, Australia's captain, faces a potential absence from the entire Ashes series due to a lingering back stress injury. The 32-year-old, who initially expressed confidence in his participation, now faces a setback. Fresh scans revealed that his 'hot spot' is healing but not yet cleared for bowling, pushing his return to play to the last few weeks of the year. This development significantly impacts his chances of being ready for the tightly scheduled Ashes series, which begins on November 21. Cummins' absence could mean Steve Smith takes over as the stand-in skipper, leading Australia in the five-Test series against England. The loss of Cummins is a significant blow to Australia's chances of retaining the Ashes urn, which they have held since 2018. England, having not won a Test on Australian soil since 2011, sees this as a strategic advantage, as they won't face Australia's strongest leader and fast bowling spearhead. Cummins himself acknowledged the potential impact of his absence, stating it would be 'devastating' and that they would need to make decisions closer to the start of the series. Despite the setback, he remains confident in his rehabilitation process, aiming to play as many Tests as possible.
