Australia still expect Pat Cummins to be available for the first Ashes Test, even as the captain deals with stress in his back.
The star quick will miss the upcoming T20 tour of New Zealand and back-to-back home white-ball series against India due to lumbar bone stress.
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Cummins has been cleared of stress fractures after a routine scan had earlier picked up an issue, but will be racing the clock to be fit for Australia’s opening Test in Perth against England starting on 21 November.
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Chairman of selectors George Bailey has backed Cummins to lead Australia out at Optus Stadium to begin the defence of the urn.
“There still feels like there’s plenty of time,” Bailey said, referencing 80 days until the Ashes starts.
“On the back of the scan, there’ll just be continued rehab and monitoring around that. Full expectation [is] that Pat would be right to go come the first Test.”
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Cummins was expected to skip the tour of New Zealand but his preparations for the Ashes have been disrupted with the 32-year-old ruled out of the three match one-day series against India in October.
If Cummins is not able to prove his fitness in time to face England, Australia have captaincy and bowling options to cover him.
Scott Boland would almost certainly be called into the pace attack, with the Victorian spectacularly taking a hat-trick in Australia’s previous Test against West Indies in July.
Former skipper Steve Smith has also covered for Cummins numerous times since the pacer became Test captain in November 2021.
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Cummins missed a Test during the 2021-22 Ashes due to Covid-19 protocols, while he didn’t play in the final two games of Australia’s tour of India in 2023 due to the death of his mother.
“Despite this planned de-load period, Cummins has experienced some ongoing lower back pain following the West Indies Test tour,” a Cricket Australia spokesperson said.
“Further investigation has identified a level of lumbar bone stress that will require further management over the coming months.”
Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc has meanwhile announced his retirement from international T20s in a bid to preserve his Test career.
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Starc’s 79 wickets in 65 T20Is places him second on the all-time list for Australia behind Adam Zampa.
“Test cricket is and has always been my highest priority,” Starc said.
“I have loved every minute of every T20 game I have played for Australia, particularly the 2021 World Cup, not just because we won but the incredible group and the fun along the way.
“Looking ahead to an away Indian Test tour, the Ashes and an ODI World Cup in 2027, I feel this is my best way forward to remain fresh, fit and at my best for those campaigns.”
Australia’s squad to tour New Zealand for three T20s includes left-armer Ben Dwarshuis, alongside Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott.
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Mitch Owen returns after being concussed in the second game against South Africa with Matt Short named after recovering from a side strain.
Experienced all-rounder Marcus Stoinis also returns to the squad for the series starting on 1 October.
Australia T20 squad
Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
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