(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Pat Cummins’ Injury Puts Australia’s Ashes Plans in Trouble
October 9, 2025
Australia’s cricket team is facing a major setback as captain Pat Cummins battles a back stress injury that could rule him out of the upcoming Ashes series against England, set to begin on November 21 in Perth.
The injury has left Australia’s leadership and bowling plans in disarray. Cummins, 32, has been a key figure in Australia’s dominance since his Ashes debut in 2017–18, having missed only one match across four series. His consistent performance — 91 wickets at an average of 24.10 — has made him one of the most reliable fast bowlers in modern cricket.
If Cummins fails to recover in time, it would mark a major blow for Australia’s campaign to retain the Ashes. English fans and former players have already expressed renewed optimism. Former England captain Michael Atherton wrote in The Times that Cummins’ absence “would be bad for Australia but a huge lift for England.”
In Cummins’ absence, Scott Boland is expected to step up, while veteran pacers Mitchell Starc (35) and Josh Hazlewood (34) will face increased workload management challenges. Starc played all five Tests against India last summer, but Hazlewood has struggled with injuries since 2017.
Cameron Green, the fast-bowling all-rounder, could be vital in sharing the load, though he is also returning from spinal surgery.
If Cummins is ruled out, Steve Smith is likely to lead the side once again. Smith, who previously captained Australia before the 2018 ball-tampering scandal, has already served as stand-in captain during the Sri Lanka series.
Cummins admitted last week that his recovery was progressing slowly and he needed to be cautious. Cricket Australia has not yet confirmed his availability.
Meanwhile, Starc remains hopeful: “Pat doesn’t need much time. He knows when and how to switch on really quickly.”
As Australia prepares for one of cricket’s biggest rivalries, all eyes are now on Cummins’ fitness — a factor that could define the outcome of the 2025 Ashes series.
