In a significant blow to Australia’s Ashes preparations, star pace captain Pat Cummins will miss the series opener against England due to a persistent back injury, thrusting Steve Smith into the captaincy and highlighting the depth of Australia’s fast-bowling talent with Scott Boland’s likely inclusion.
The highly anticipated Ashes series between Australia and England is set to begin with an unexpected twist, as Australia’s captain and premier fast bowler, Pat Cummins, has been officially ruled out of the first Test in Perth starting November 21, 2025. The 32-year-old seamer has been battling a lumbar stress problem, an injury that has kept him from bowling since Australia’s 3-0 series sweep of the West Indies in July. This news presents an early challenge for the home side and elevates former skipper Steve Smith to lead the team once again, as reported by Sky Sports.
A Familiar Hand: Steve Smith’s Return to Captaincy
With Cummins’ absence, the captaincy reins fall to Steve Smith, marking his return to leadership for a high-profile series. Smith, 36, is no stranger to the role, having previously led Australia to a dominant 4-0 Ashes victory at home in 2017/18. He also stepped in for Cummins in six Tests since 2021, securing five victories. Notably, he captained the side during the second Ashes Test in Adelaide in December 2021 when Cummins was sidelined due to COVID-19 protocols.
Teammate Usman Khawaja commented on Smith’s evolution as a leader, stating, “Everyone respects Smith’s brain. He is a good captain and even better now that he doesn’t have the job full time. He is way more relaxed than he was back in the day. I probably enjoy his captaincy now more than I ever have.” This perspective suggests that Smith’s previous experience, including the lessons learned from the ball-tampering scandal in 2018 that led to him losing the captaincy, has refined his approach.
The Pace Attack Dilemma: Boland’s Opportunity
The void left by Cummins, the world’s No. 1 Test bowler in 2021 and a consistent wicket-taker, is substantial. He was the leading wicket-taker in the 2017/18 and 2021/22 Ashes series with 23 and 21 wickets respectively, and has dismissed England linchpin Joe Root more times than any other bowler in Test cricket, tied with India’s Jasprit Bumrah at 11. His aggressive bowling and crucial runs from the No. 8 spot will be sorely missed, as highlighted by Associated Press coverage of the team’s preparations.
In his place, Scott Boland is the frontrunner to join Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in Australia’s pace attack. Boland, also 36, boasts an impressive record in home Tests, having taken 49 wickets in nine matches at an exceptional average of 12.63. His memorable debut in the 2021 Ashes saw him snare six wickets for seven runs, securing a monumental victory for Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Australia head coach Andrew McDonald expressed confidence in the depth, noting, “When you talk about Scott Boland being a potential replacement, it’s not a bad position to be in.”
Other pace-bowling options for Australia include Michael Neser, Sean Abbott, and Brendan Doggett. Neser himself made his Test debut during the 2021 Ashes when Cummins was unavailable due to COVID protocols, demonstrating the readiness of the squad’s reserves.
Cummins’ Road to Recovery and Future Outlook
While Cummins will miss the Perth Test, coach McDonald remains optimistic about his return for the day-night second Test in Brisbane, scheduled from December 4. Cummins is expected to resume bowling this week, a “huge step” on his path to recovery. McDonald indicated that four weeks of bowling preparation would be necessary for Cummins to be match-ready for Test cricket.
The absence of a captain of Cummins’ caliber is undoubtedly a blow, but Australia has faced similar challenges before. The flexibility of having a seasoned leader like Smith and a proven performer like Boland ready to step up underscores the depth and resilience of the Australian squad. The Ashes series is known for its drama, and Cummins’ early sidelining has certainly added an intriguing layer to what promises to be a gripping contest.
The 2025-26 Ashes Series Schedule (All times UK and Ireland):
- First Test: Friday November 21 – Tuesday November 25 (2:30 am) – Optus Stadium, Perth
- Second Test (Day/Night): Thursday December 4 – Monday December 8 (4:30 am) – The Gabba, Brisbane
- Third Test: Wednesday December 17 – Sunday December 21 (12 am) – Adelaide Oval
- Fourth Test: Thursday December 25 – Monday December 29 (11:30 pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground
- Fifth Test: Sunday January 4 – Thursday January 8 (11:30 pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground
