The Ashes 2025 between Australia and England will begin on November 21.
Despite worries about injuries, Pat Cummins, the captain of the Australian cricket team, has stated that he is willing to take risks in order to play in the Ashes.
Although Cummins has suffered lumbar bone stress, Cricket Australia said on Tuesday that they are hopeful he will be available for the first Test match against England, which starts on November 21. Before the five-match Test series, Cummins discussed the likelihood that he would play in spite of his injuries.
Despite his injury, Cummins stated that he would like to participate in the coveted Ashes and take some additional risks.
“That would be devastating [to be sidelined for the series opener], so we’ll be doing everything we can to try to be right for that. It’s a big Ashes series. It doesn’t get much bigger, so I think you’re willing to take a few risks and be a little bit aggressive to try and play as many Tests as you can. It’s [nearly] 12 weeks until the first Test; it feels a long way away, so we’ve got plenty of time,” Cummins told cricket.com.au.
As a result of his recent lumbar injury, Australia's skipper will miss their upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand and India.
Cummins complained of stiffness following Australia's 3-0 Test series victory in the West Indies in July, during which he bowled 60 overs in three weeks, and he has been limited to light gym training since then.
Despite having back issues in the early years of his career, Cummins has since established himself as one of the best pacers of his generation, taking 309 wickets at an average of 22.1 in 71 Test matches.
“At this stage of my career, I feel like I can probably get up to speed a bit quicker than when I was 18 or 19. Back then, you probably felt like you needed to play a few [Sheffield] Shield games or one-dayers. I’m pretty confident even if I don’t get a chance to play a Shield game, I’ll be able to get up to speed,” Cummins added.
If Cummins is unable to prove his fitness in time to face England, Australia has captaincy and bowling options to replace him. Scott Boland would almost certainly be called up to the pace attack; the Victorian took a hat-trick in Australia's previous Test against the West Indies in July.
Steve Smith, a former national captain, has also filled in for Cummins on several occasions since the seamer was named Test captain in November 2021.