Steve Smith to lead Australia in the Ashes 2025-26 opener as CA confirms Pat Cummins' unavailability for Perth test

Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the Ashes 2025-26 opener due to back stress.

Cricket Australia on Monday (October 27) confirmed that captain Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the opening game of the Ashes 2025-26 against the England Cricket Team. The opening game of the series will be played from November 21 in Perth. 

Pat Cummins, who has been out of action for the last few months, hasn’t resumed his bowling and is still recovering from the back stress injury. There was a slight chance for him to get fit by the time the Ashes 2025-26 opener, but he lost the race against time and will be missing the Perth test. 

However, in a positive development for Australia, Pat Cummins has started running and is expected to begin bowling shortly. He is now targeting the second test at the Gabba, Brisbane, which commences on December 4. It will be a big boost for Australia if he plays the second match. 

Speaking on Pat Cummins’ injury, head coach Andrew McDonald said they are disappointed about him missing the first game but are hopeful that he will play the second match. 

“We’ve run out of time [to make the opener],” McDonald said. “We flagged this a week or so ago that it will take four-plus weeks to get him up and running. We’ve run out of time unfortunately, but really optimistic and hopeful for the second Test match.

“He’ll be back bowling this week, and that’s a huge step. That was the big variable that we wanted to add in. We’re on the journey to that second Test match, and very hopeful that that will be a positive outcome,” he told Cricbuzz

Steve Smith to captain Australia in the opening match of the Ashes 2025-26

In the absence of Pat Cummins, Steve Smith will be leading Australia in the opening match of the Ashes 2025-26. He has a great track record as a captain, having captained the side in 40 test matches in his career. Also, the captaincy brings out the best in him as he averages close to 70 with the bat while leading. 

In terms of bowling replacement, Australia are likely to add Scott Boland in the XI. The pacer averages 12.63 with the ball and destroyed the England side in the 2021/22 Ashes with his best coming in Melbourne, where he took 6 for 7 in the second innings.

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