Australia turn to controversial former captain as Pat Cummins injury blow confirmed
The Ashes gets underway in Perth next month but hosts Australia will be without captain Pat Cummins having already confirmed his replacement ahead of the first test
Australia will be without captain Pat Cummins for the first Ashes test against England - with Steve Smith already confirmed as his replacement. The 32-year-old was heading into the latest edition of the Ashes as an injury doubt.
Cummins had been suffering with a back injury throughout the year, with scans earlier this month confirming that the issue had not been healed. There were fears that he could potentially miss the whole series, and while the injury is not that serious, he will still be missing for next month’s opener in Perth.
Speaking about Cummins’ absence, Australia coach Andrew McDonald said: “It takes four-plus weeks to get him up and running, and 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 ... so we’re on the journey to that second Test match, and very hopeful that that will be a positive outcome.”
And while Cummins’ absence will be a blow to Australia, they already have his replacement ready to go. Former captain Steve Smith will once again lead the side having originally been stripped of the role for his contribution to the sandpaper scandal in 2018.
READ MORE: Ashes Legends special edition is on sale nowREAD MORE: Freddie Flintoff quits job in row over pay as cricket icon blasts 'I'm worth more'“We flip into Steve Smith being the captain, and we’re incredibly fortunate to have such an experienced captain himself,” McDonald added. “They’re a good working couple, so to speak ... and Paddy will be around the group as well. So he’ll come to Perth with us, I can declare that.”
Meanwhile, Cummins’ place in the side has also been earmarked for paceman Scott Boland, who could potentially partner Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc for the first test.
“When you talk about Scott Boland being the potential replacement, it’s not a bad position to be in,” McDonald said. “And I suppose you get excited about when [Cummins] does come back. What an injection that will be to the group, a fully fit Pat Cummins returning at some stage during the Ashes.”
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Australia will certainly be keeping an eye on Cummins and his recovery ahead of the second test which will take place at The Gabba in Queensland in early December. The hosts’ squad for the Ashes has yet to be finalised. Meanwhile, Brendon McCullum has already named his squad ahead of the first test.
The Ashes will run up until the early January, with the final test due to take place in Sydney on January 3.
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