The Ashes 2025-26: Pat Cummins gives massive boost to Australia; Confirms participation in 3rd test

Pat Cummins has been out of action since the West Indies test tour due to back injury.

During the second test of the Ashes 2025–26 series against England, Pat Cummins, Australia‘s test and ODI captain, talked candidly about his return to international cricket. Cummins also disclosed that the squad had taken the precaution, which is why he was not participating in the ongoing pink-ball test in Brisbane.

Due to a back injury sustained during the West Indies trip in July, the right-arm pacer missed the first two Ashes test matches. Cummins was not allowed to play in the first test. But, after bowling painlessly in the nets in Perth, he was thought to be a potential choice for the second Test at the Gabba.

Instead of rushing him back, Australia’s selectors opted to give him more time to heal.  In an effort to rejoin the team, Cummins has remained in Brisbane and kept up his training.

I should be right for Adelaide: Pat Cummins

In the third test in Adelaide, Pat Cummins stated that he hopes to make a comeback. Unless something unforeseen occurs prior to the match, which is set to start on December 17, he is anticipated to be available.

Before the squad travels to Adelaide, Cummins stated during commentary that he will have a few more bowling practices. He went on to say that he will be prepared to play if there are no obstacles.

“First of all, yeah, I should be right for Adelaide.” So, I’ll have one more bowl tomorrow (Sunday), and then we’ll go to Adelaide and have another bowl there. So, barring any hiccups, I’ll be good to go. Body feels great.” Cummins said to Fox Cricket.

Cummins also opened up about how close he was to playing in the second Ashes Test in Brisbane. The pacer replied, “Relatively close, really.”

“My body feels great; I’m bowling at 100 percent. The big question mark when coming back from a bone injury is we tend to have a bowl and have a couple of days off, recover, bowl, and bowl. I haven’t done back-to-back bowls, so one of the high-risk things going into a Test match is you’re going to be expected to bowl two days in a row, maybe three days in a row, and potentially quite a few overs,” he added.

I Haven’t Done Back-to-Back Bowls—Pat Cummins

Pat Cummins revealed that he was on the verge of returning for the Brisbane Test. He claimed that he hasn’t yet put himself through back-to-back bowling sessions, which is a crucial prerequisite for playing in a Test match.

“So, we felt that not doing back-to-back bowls yet was too risky; we started to kind of game plan (for reduced overs)—could we try and maybe bowl 20 overs, 25 overs with ‘Greeny’ in the side as an all-rounder?

We feel like we’ve got lots of bowling. So, we really tried to map out a way where I could play, but it just felt a little bit too cute in the end. And it didn’t really feel fair on the other bowlers, or even on myself as a captain. If I had to have a bowler that I was bowling and trying to work out which overs, it didn’t quite feel right. It didn’t feel like the right Test match to take that risk,” the Australian captain said.

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