Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins will not be fit for the first Ashes Test in Perth next month and will be replaced as captain by Steve Smith, Cricket Australia said on Monday.
Cummins has been sidelined by a lower-back issue since July and was already a major doubt for the series opener against England, which starts on November 21.
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Coach Andrew McDonald said Cummins had now resumed running and would be back bowling this week, offering hope the 32-year-old might be fit to take part in the day-night second test in Brisbane from December 4.
“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,” Mr McDonald told reporters in Canberra.
Cummins has played in every Ashes series since his debut against England in 2017-18, helping Australia reclaim and retain the urn. His absence gives Scott Boland an opportunity to join the Perth bowling attack alongside Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.
Smith, who was stripped of the captaincy in 2018, has led Australia six times in Cummins’ absence since his rehabilitation. McDonald confirmed Cummins would remain with the squad in Perth.
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