Pat Cummins’ Injury: Ashes 2025 in Jeopardy
Australia’s cricketing landscape is facing a significant challenge as captain Pat Cummins may potentially miss the opening Ashes Test against England, scheduled to start on November 21 in Perth. This comes as a major blow to the team's aspirations for the 2025 Ashes series. Cummins, who plays a pivotal role as both captain and premier fast bowler, has been sidelined since mid-July due to a lumbar bone stress injury suffered during the away Test series against the West Indies.
With only a month left before the first fixture, Cummins' latest scans reveal improvement in his injury, but doubts remain about whether it’s wise for Australia to rush his recovery. According to reports from Code Sports, the team plans to give Cummins as much time as necessary to prove his fitness. However, there is a serious possibility that he may miss all five matches of the series, with a late return being the most optimistic outcome.
Former Australian captain Mark Taylor has expressed concerns regarding Cummins' lack of preparation. He highlighted that while Cummins downplays the severity of his situation, his absence from lead-up games raises alarms. Taylor noted, “He’s got a hot spot in his back, how does he test it out?” This uncertainty about his fitness level could have serious implications for the team’s performance.
Adding to this, pace legend Brett Lee emphasized that Cummins must be 100 percent fit before taking the field. He articulated the risks involved in allowing a player to compete at less than full strength, stating, “He’s better off waiting until he is 100 percent fit because what they don’t want to do is play him in the first Test, 90 or 80 percent fit, and he goes and injures his back again.”
The stakes are high as Australia gears up for a demanding series against England. The absence of Cummins could be detrimental not just for the first Test but for the entire series. As the cricketing community watches closely, the decision regarding Cummins’ participation will be crucial for Australia’s chances in the Ashes 2025.
