Pat Cummins, the Australian cricket captain, is facing a spell on the sidelines due to a back injury. Following scans, evidence of lumbar bone stress was found. This means he will be unavailable for the upcoming limited-overs series against New Zealand and India. The fast bowler requires rest and careful management, ruling him out of action for the months of October and November. The injury surfaced during medical checks after Australia’s World Test Championship Final and their tour of the West Indies earlier this year. While no fracture was detected, the bone stress necessitates an extended recovery program. Cummins has held a demanding role as captain since November 2021, and has been a regular in the Test side, missing only two matches due to injury during this period. He has led the Australian team to a WTC victory, an Ashes triumph in England, and the ODI World Cup title. Throughout the recent tours of the Caribbean and England, the 32-year-old bowled over 95 overs in just four Tests, and subsequently reported back soreness. Cummins has a history of back problems, which had previously affected his career, including recurring stress fractures. This delayed his return after a strong initial showing in 2011. However, since 2017, he has consistently played, featuring in 19 of Australia’s last 20 Ashes Tests. If Cummins doesn’t recover in time for the Ashes opener in Perth this November, Scott Boland is expected to be included in the pace attack. If needed, Vice-captain Steve Smith will lead the team in Cummins’ absence, reprising the role he filled on the Sri Lanka tour last year.
