Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the first Ashes Test in Perth due to a back injury, with Steve Smith set to captain Australia.
Australia suffered a setback ahead of the Ashes as skipper Pat Cummins was ruled out of the first Test in Perth next month. Steve Smith will captain the side in his absence, confirmed Cricket Australia on Monday.
Cummins has been recovering from a lower-back injury since the 3-0 series win over West Indies in July. Despite initial hopes of a return, he could not regain full fitness in time for the opener at Optus Stadium on November 21.
Head coach Andrew McDonald said the pacer has resumed running and is expected to start bowling this week. His recovery progress will decide his availability for the second Test, a day-night fixture scheduled in Brisbane from December 4. McDonald also confirmed that Cummins will travel with the squad to Perth despite missing the first match.
“It takes four plus weeks to get him up and running, and we’ve run out of time, unfortunately, but really optimistic and hopeful for the second test match. He’ll be back bowling this week, and that’s a huge step … so we’re on the journey to that second test match, and very hopeful that that will be a positive outcome,” McDonald told reporters in Canberra.
“They’re a good working couple, so to speak … and Paddy( Pat Cummins) will be around the group as well. So he’ll come to Perth with us, I can declare that,” he added.
Smith Returns to Lead in Cummins’ Absence
Meanwhile, Steve Smith will return to lead Australia in the opening Ashes Test. Since taking over as Cummins’ deputy in 2021, Smith has captained Australia in six Tests, including two wins in Sri Lanka in 2025, where he scored 141 and 131. The selectors are yet to name the Ashes squad.
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Last Updated on October 27, 2025
