Pat Cummins, the Australian skipper, remains doubtful for the opening match of the Ashes due to injury. Cummins sustained the injury after the series against the West Indies. While scans revealed no fracture, the bone stress was significant enough for doctors to recommend rest and rehabilitation.
Because of this, Cricket Australia did not include him in the white-ball series against New Zealand, and he is also not part of the India series. According to reports, the latest scan has shown some improvement in his bone stress, but not enough for him to resume bowling, which could rule him out of the Ashes opener.
At present, Cummins is undergoing rehabilitation, and there is no official update on when he might return to action. The last time he played Test cricket was in July. In Cummins’ absence, Steve Smith will lead the team.
The countdown to the Ashes is on, with the opening Test set for November 21, just six weeks from Friday. Brisbane will host the second Test starting December 4, while Adelaide stages the third on December 17. The iconic Boxing Day Test rounds off the series nine days later.
Pat Cummins Stats in The Ashes 2023
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Wickets Taken | 18 (4th highest in the series) |
| Overs / Balls bowled | 158.4 overs (i.e. 950 balls) |
| Bowling average | 37.72 |
| Best innings figures | 7/168 |
| Batting runs scored | 162 across the series |
| Runs conceded | 679 |
Also read: Pat Cummins and Travis Head offered ₹58 crore each by IPL franchise to quit Australian cricket!
How Crucial Was Pat Cummins Role as Captain in the 2023 Ashes?
Pat Cummins played a crucial role in 2023 as a captain. From the 1st match itself at Edgbaston, he set the tone for the series with his 44* under immense pressure, which helped them to a 2-wicket win. With his captaincy mindset, he maintained composure by rotating bowlers to cut the runs from the Bazball approach.
With the heavy workload, he remained the most consistent bowler with pace and variations. Some of his decisions were questioned when they faced the Headingley loss and Old Trafford draw, but his calmness and patience helped Australia retain the Ashes with a 2–2 draw.
England, who last claimed the Ashes in 2015, will be eager to reclaim the trophy this year and the absence of Pat Cummins could provide them with a significant advantage in their pursuit.
Written By:- Manjunath S
