Pat Cummins in action. (FILE photo)Going into the 2025/26 Ashes, one of the biggest questions that is looming on the Australian side is will Pat Cummins play the first Test in Perth?. The uncertainty has become the main topic in the build-up to the marquee series. In addition to being one of the prime weapons of Australia with the ball, Cummins is also the captain of the side. Although there was not much of a doubt who would take over the role if Cummins were to miss out but Chief Selector George Bailey confirmed on Saturday, speaking to the reports at Perth, who it is going to be.
“If Pat doesn’t play, Smudge (Smith) will captain. That’s business as usual for us. That formula has worked,” Bailey said. “Regardless of whether he’s playing, Pat’s keen to be around because if he’s not playing he’ll be rehabbing and getting ready and bowling, so he’ll be with the team anyway. So that information flow and working together as captain and vice-captain will remain the same,” he added.
“Steve landed and he was at Cricket NSW (New South Wales) the next day, batting. So he’ll do his thing. We’ve tried to tailor everyone’s prep to suit them and certain obligations around that, but very comfortably, he’ll be ready to go,” Bailey added.
Earlier, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has admitted that time is running out for Cummins to prove his fitness for the first Ashes Test starting November 21 at Perth. Cummins is still recovering from a back injury that he sustained during the tour of the Caribbean, McDonald said. A decision on his availability will be taken in a week.
From the time it emerged that Cummins has suffered a lumbar bone stress in his lower back, his availability for the first Test has been under question. While there were even reports that Cummins would miss the Test, McDonald hasn’t ruled him out completely as yet. McDonald said the pacer has been having a positive rehab session and dismissed any concerns that Cummins would be out of the entire series.
“It’ll be a decision around the first Test match. Are we starting to run out of time? There’s no doubt,” McDonald said. “Is Patty someone that can be prepared on a shortened prep? Yes, but as it stands six weeks out, we’d like to see him back and bowling very soon, if he was to be a realistic chance at that first Test. To say that he’s out of the series and to go down that path would be incorrect at this stage. All I’d say is that he’s had a really positive week, this week.”
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