Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand and India due to a lower back injury. Medical scans have revealed a level of "lumbar bone stress," a setback that compromises his preparation for the highly anticipated Ashes series against England.
The injury was discovered after the Test and ODI skipper experienced ongoing lower back pain following the recent Test tour of the West Indies. This was despite a planned rest period that had seen him miss two previous white-ball series. While the injury is not classified as a stress fracture, Cricket Australia (CA) stated that it will require "further management over the coming months."
The 32-year-old will miss three T20Is against New Zealand in October, followed by three ODIs and five T20Is against India. These series were intended to be a crucial part of his preparation for the Ashes, which is set to begin on November 21 in Perth. His return to bowling will be determined as part of his rehabilitation plan.
The injury brings back memories of the stress fractures that plagued Cummins' early career, which kept him out of Test cricket for six years. However, since his return in 2017, he has become one of Australia's most durable and reliable bowlers, playing a large majority of the country's matches and missing only two Tests since taking on the captaincy.
Cricket Australia is now faced with the challenge of managing his recovery to ensure his fitness for the Ashes, a series known for its demanding schedule of five Tests in seven weeks. The loss of Cummins, who has been a central figure in Australia's recent Ashes successes, is a significant blow to the team's defense of the urn. His progress will be closely monitored, with the ultimate goal of having him ready for the first Test.