‘Devastating’ Cummins blow as Aussie skipper set to miss Ashes opener... and maybe much more

Australian captain Pat Cummins is set to miss the Ashes series opener in Perth on November 21 and may even miss the entire series against England, according to multiple reports.

Cummins has been sidelined with a hot spot in his back, with his latest scan revealing it has not yet healed.

The scan showed improvement, but Cummins is not yet to be ready to bowl, exactly six weeks out from the first Test.

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The update, reported by both CODE Sports and Fairfax, is set to push the skipper’s timeline to return to action into December, but time would be running out for him to play a substantial role in the series.

The best case scenario may be Cummins’ gets back in time for the later stages of the Ashes.

It means Steve Smith, who has been touted with a move to No.3 in Australia’s batting order, will stand in as captain as he did in Sri Lanka earlier this year when Cummins missed the two-Test tour with injury.

It also paves the way for Scott Boland to play a larger role in the series, having been deployed as a reinforcement for Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in recent summers.

Cummins, who was offered $10 million along with Travis Head to quit international cricket for T20 franchise leagues earlier this year, was asked a month ago in Brisbane about the possibility of missing the first Test, and he said: “That would be devastating.

“We’ll be doing everything we can to be right for that, [and] make a few decisions a little bit closer, but [I’m] confident we’ll do the rehab right and give it a good crack.

“This far out it’s hard to know, but we’re trying to make sure we’re doing everything right to be right for Perth. It’s a big Ashes series, [it] doesn’t get much bigger, so you’re willing to be aggressive and take a few risks to try to play as much of the Tests as you can.

“I’ve had a really good run as fast bowling goes, and I’ve been really well looked after, which has got me through this many Tests. I’ve bowled a lot over the last few years, something was bound to happen at some point, but hopefully get this right and don’t miss too much cricket.”

Only a fortnight ago, Cummins opened up on the rehabilitation process to News Corp, saying his return will be guided by several scans as well as how he is feeling himself.

“Probably using one or two, maybe three scans to gauge how the back is tracking. Like a lot of injuries, it’s also non clinical signs in terms of how you’re feeling and symptoms, so that will be pretty important,” Cummins said.

“Like anything there’s always multiple factors. I’ve got a bit of time. Obviously you can’t just go from no bowling to bowling tomorrow so there will be a ramping up period as well where you’re always tracking along with the physios. (Scans) won’t be the sole factor.”

Cummins has been largely confined to gym work and cycling in recent times to maintain his fitness, but he is yet to return to bowling or running.

Australian fast bowling great Brett Lee told Fox Cricket last month that he hopes Cummins and the Australian hierarchy are cautious with their approach to navigating his return to the side.

“I just really hope Pat Cummins gives himself the amount of time to be 100 per cent raring to go ... and if he’s not ready for the first Test, not 100 per cent, leave him until the second Test. If he is not ready for the second Test, leave him to the Third. But if he is ready to go for the first Test, 100 per cent charge in,” Lee said.

“What you don’t want to do is go in 90 per cent for the first Test, get injured, maybe in the first innings or the second innings, you know, and then you’re down a bowler and then you’ve lost the whole Australian summer, lost the captain, lost your strike bowler.

“Time is of essence here. (He has) got to make sure that he gives himself every opportunity. And Pat Cummins is a smart guy. It’s not his first mango season. He’s been around the bush a long time now and he’ll make sure he makes the right call.”

Cricket Australia has not commented on the reports, nor have they confirmed any news about Cummins’ injury.

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