Pat Cummins delivers honest update as major fears mount over Aussie captain's Ashes fitness

Pat Cummins has revealed that there is still some uncertainty around whether he will be able to play for Australia in the opening Test of the 2025 Ashes Series in Perth on November 21.

A Cricket Australia spokesperson said on Tuesday that Cummins had sustained a 'level of lumbar bone stress' that will require management over the coming months. It appears that the injury arose during Australia's recent tour to the West Indies.

Cummins, who battled through a string of back injuries earlier in his career, broke his silence on the matter on Wednesday, revealing to members of the media that he may need to take a few risks in order to play.

'[I] had another scan on Monday, which was not terrible, but enough to know there's a little bit there and [that I] need to be careful for the next little bit,' Cummins told members of the media on Wednesday.

'It doesn't feel too bad, but I'm not bowling or doing much at the moment.'

Depending on how he recovers from the injury, it appears Cummins' game time could be managed by selectors during the series due to the injury. It means Australia could call upon his experienced vice-captain, Steve Smith, to take the reins after he led the Baggy Greens to success during their tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year.

Pat Cummins has revealed that there is still uncertainty around whether he'll be fit to play in this summer's Ashes series

The Aussie skipper (pictured with his wife Bec) stated that he would potentially have to take some risks in order to play this summer

Pressed on what it would be like to miss out on the first Test at the Optus Stadium, Cummins admitted: 'That would be devastating.

'We'll be doing everything we can to be right for that, [and] make a few decisions a little bit closer, but [I'm] confident we'll do the rehab right and give it a good crack.

'This far out it's hard to know, but we're trying to make sure we're doing everything right to be right for Perth. It's a big Ashes series, [it] doesn't get much bigger, so you're willing to be aggressive and take a few risks to try to play as much of the Tests as you can.'

Cummins revealed that even after returning from the West Indies, pain from the back injury lingered for some time, forcing him to have a few quiet weeks at home.

He has recently been out enjoying spending some time with his young family.

'[I] was a little bit sore after the West Indies, had a scan, [and] there was a little bit going on, gave it another month, [and I] have had a bit of a quiet month to help it settle down.'

In fact, he revealed that the injury may have first reared its head during Australia's World Test Championship final defeat at Lord's in June.

'Sometimes you may just get unlucky and you bowl lots of overs in, say, the World Test Championship final and that's enough to start it, but through the West Indies I felt like it was a little sore but nothing [unusual] for a fast bowler. But once you get home and everything settles down, it hung around a little bit.'

Australia are looking to retain the Ashes at home this year, with the Baggy Greens welcoming England for the first Test in Perth on November 21

Cricket Australia yesterday confirmed that the Baggy Greens skipper would not be considered for their upcoming limited-overs series against India

Cricket Australia yesterday confirmed that the Baggy Greens skipper would not be considered for their upcoming limited-overs series against India.

But it's not the first time Cummins has been ruled out with a back injury.

The 32-year-old made his Test debut in November 2011 but a back stress fracture and other injuries would see the captain fail to win another cap until March 2017.

The Australian quick would return to Test cricket and later starred for Australia, winning the vice-captaincy in 2019, alongside Travis Head.

And in recent years, he has stayed relatively fit.

'I think I've been really lucky the last seven or eight years I haven't really had much, so I missed the odd Test match here or there, but no real thing,' Cummins said.

'In 2018 I had a full-blown stress fracture that kept me out for an off-season.

'But I've had a really good run as fast bowling goes, and I've been really well looked after, which has got me through this many Tests. I've bowled a lot over the last few years, something was bound to happen at some point, but hopefully get this right and don't miss too much cricket.'

Cummins took eight wickets during his side's recent tour of Sri Lanka, while also claiming seven in the World Test Championship Final

Cummins took eight wickets during his side's recent tour of Sri Lanka, while also claiming seven in the World Test Championship Final.

While he has been one of Australia's most prolific bowlers in recent times, he is confident that selectors have a crop of exciting bowling stars who can step up in his place should they be required.

'We always talk about we need a lot of depth,' he said.

'We've been lucky in the last couple of years – we haven't had to go past the four guys really, but guys like Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett, there's four or five guys.

'Neser's been around, Jhye Richardson, there's guys who've been around the Test team the past few years, and haven't had too many opportunities, but hopefully the other three are fighting fit, plus me, and we've got plenty of resources.'

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