Ashes 2025-26: Pat Cummins ruled out of first Test; Steve Smith to lead

On Monday, October 27, Cricket Australia confirmed that the Test captain Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the first Test of the five-match Ashes 2025-26 series at home. The first Test is set to commence on Friday, November 21, at the Perth Stadium. 

Advertisment

For the unversed, Cummins is still recovering from a lumbar stress injury and is yet to return to bowling with less than a month for the much-awaited Ashes first Test. In Cummins’ absence, Steve Smith has been appointed as the stand-in captain. 

Moreover, in Cummins’ absence, Scott Boland is likely to take up a spot in the playing XI, courtesy of his recent hat-trick against the West Indies. Notably, the final Australian Test squad for the Ashes will be revealed next week after the third round of Sheffield Shield matches.

Speaking to the press, the Australian head coach Andrew McDonald has confirmed that the team ran out of time with Cummins, but confirmed that the skipper will resume his bowling duties shortly. It is yet to be seen if Cummins will be available for the second Test at The Gabba on Thursday, December 4.

“We’ve grappled with it for a little while. The nature of the injury is that you never know and you’re sort of taking it a day by day. We’ve run out of time. We flagged this a week or so ago that it will take four-plus weeks to get him up and running. We’ve run out of time unfortunately, but really optimistic and hopeful for the second Test match,” McDonald told the media.

“He’ll be back bowling this week, and that’s a huge step. That was the big variable that we wanted to add in. We’re on the journey to that second Test match, and very hopeful that that will be a positive outcome,” he added.

Stay updated with the latest cricket news, match insights, and exclusive updates at Sky247 India and download the Sky247 app to start betting today!

Advertisment