Australia’s cricket team faces a setback as their star player, Pat Cummins, may miss the entire Ashes series due to an ongoing back injury. Recent scans have shown that Cummins’ back problem has not fully healed. The Australian captain was absent from the white-ball series against South Africa and New Zealand, and he is expected to sit out the upcoming ODIs and T20s against India. There are concerns that he might also miss the Ashes opener in Perth next month and potentially the entire series.
Cummins’ potential absence would be a significant blow to Australia, who aim to defend the Ashes title they have held since 2018. While Cummins continues his rehabilitation, he is not yet ready to return to bowling. In the last match he played, a 3-0 victory against West Indies in July, Cummins showcased his prowess. In the event that he does not recover in time, Scott Boland is likely to replace him in the pace attack alongside Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
The responsibility of captaincy may fall on Steve Smith if Cummins is ruled out. Smith has previously led the team on multiple occasions following his reappointment post the ball-tampering scandal. Australia’s coach, Andrew McDonald, expressed concerns about Cummins’ fitness, stating that the player is following a rehabilitation plan and working towards a return to play. McDonald emphasized the importance of time and remaining hopeful that Cummins can participate in the Ashes series.
England has already named its squad for the Ashes, while Australia is yet to finalize its selection. George Bailey, Australia’s chair of selectors, explained that the squad has been named for the ODI and initial T20 series matches, with plans for individual management as they prepare for the Sheffield Shield cricket fixtures. The focus is on balancing preparations for the upcoming World Cup alongside gearing up for the Test series.
In other news, Sky has announced a discounted Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 football season, offering substantial savings and a wide range of live matches, including over 1,400 games across various leagues. Sky is set to broadcast a minimum of 215 live Premier League matches next season, an increase from previous seasons, providing fans with more live football action.