Australia’s fast bowler and test captain Pat Cummins has suffered a back injury and a stress on his lower back bone. This is called a ‘hot spot’. This means that it can cause a fracture in the future. However, no bone is broken. Selectors say Cummins can be fit for the first test of the Ashes.
According to George Bailey, chair of selectors, his focus remains on preparing him for the Ashes.
“There always was a de-load planned for him post that West Indies Test series, and then he’s just reported that he had a little bit of ongoing back soreness as part of that, and just identified a little bit of lumbar bone stress,” George Bailey said.
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“I think the focus for him has and will continue to be just preparation for that [Ashes] Test series,” he added.
Due to this injury Pat Cummins will not be able play the three white ball series against New Zealand and India. This means that he will miss some ODIs and T20 matches.
Pat Cummins last played in the Caribbean tour. During that time his bowling load was kept low. After this he did not play T20 and ODI matches. This plan was made in advance. The purpose was that he could do 10 weeks of physical build-up for the Test series.
Pat Cummins had mild back pain before the scan. This pain lasted longer than expected. Now he needs rest and physical therapy. The selectors say that his main focus is now on preparing for the Ashes Test.
The beginning of Cummins’ career was also affected by injuries. He suffered stress fractures several times in his first six years. After his test debut in 2011, he did not play tests continuously until 2017. But after that he became a stable player. He played many matches while managing minor injuries.
His bowling overs were also less in 2025. In the last three years, he used to bowl more than 400 overs every year, but this year so far he has bowled only 175 overs. This means that his load was less. Now he will have to get fit quickly for the Ashes.
Pat Cummins deliberately played fewer matches last summer. His aim was to remain fresh for the test series. He showed some rust in the first test, but he performed brilliantly in the subsequent matches.
Now only 11 weeks have left. The hot spot will be cured with rest and therapy. If cured in time, Pat Cummins can play some domestic matches like the ODI between NSW and Queensland on November 3. After this, there is the last match of Sheffield Shield on November 10.
