In what could be a significant blow to Australia, Pat Cummins is set to miss the Ashes opener, starting on November 21 in Perth, due to a stress injury to the back. The Australia captain could play very a small role in the entirety of the home series. If he is absent, Steve Smith is likely to lead the side.
ASHES 2025-26
Pat Cummins set to miss Ashes opener
Pat Cummins could play a very small role in the upcoming Ashes © Getty
Cummins's back issue cropped up during routine assessment after Australia's tour of West Indies earlier this year. Scans didn't show up a fracture but the bone stress was said to be significant enough to demand rest and rehabilitation. Cricket Australia thus, kept him out of the recent white-ball series against New Zealand, while he also misses the upcoming series against India.
In early September there were hopes that Cummins
