Pat Cummins ruled out of first Ashes Test, with Steve Smith to captain Australia

Pat Cummins is officially out of the first Ashes Test as he continues his recovery from a stress injury in his back, with Steve Smith to reassume the captaincy of Australia in the series opener against England next month.

Cummins has not bowled since Australia’s 3-0 series defeat of West Indies in July and was in serious doubt for the match in Perth on 21 November. After months of speculation over whether he would recover in time, CricketAustralia on Monday finally confirmed that the quick would have to sit out the game at Optus Stadium.

The 32-year-old’s acumen with the ball in hand and his presence as a leader on the field will be sorely missed, and his absence comes as a blow to Australia’s hopes of retaining the Ashes urn.

The 32-year-old has resumed running and expects to return to bowling imminently, and while an exact date has not been put on any return to full fitness, Australia coach Andrew McDonald said he was hopeful he would be able to call on Cummins for the second Test in Brisbane.

The bowler has previously indicated he would like a full four weeks of bowling before returning to the starting XI, meaning the day-night Test at the Gabba starting on 4 December would be a realistic target, if he can resume bowling in the next week.

“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,” McDonald said. “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.”

Smith, who was stripped of the captaincy in the wake of the sandpaper scandal in 2018, has filled in for Australia six times as Cummins’s vice-captain since the bowler assumed the top role in November 2021. Smith boasts a better batting average as captain (68.98), compared with when not in the role (49.9).

“We flip into Steve Smith being the captain, and we’re incredibly fortunate to have such an experienced captain himself,” McDonald said. “They’re a good working couple, so to speak ... and Paddy will be around the group as well. So he’ll come to Perth with us, I can declare that.”

After spending six weeks in New York, Smith will have two chances to get his eye in ahead of the Ashes after being included in NSW’s Sheffield Shield squad. He will make his first appearance in 12 months for the Blues against Queensland at the Gabba this week, before facing Victoria on home soil at the SCG starting 10 November.

Australia’s Ashes squad is yet to be finalised, but Cummins’s absence likely paves the way for paceman Scott Boland to come into the team and partner Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc for the first Test at least.

Regular chances at Test level have been limited for Boland during his long career, given the pace trio ahead of him in the pecking order, but when called upon the Victorian quick usually delivers and he has taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 in 14 Tests.

“When you talk about Scott Boland being the potential replacement, it’s not a bad position to be in,” McDonald said. “And I suppose you get excited about when [Cummins] does come back. What an injection that will be to the group, a fully fit Pat Cummins returning at some stage during the Ashes.”

[Source: The Guardian]