Cummins prepared to push his body to feature in the Ashes

Australia’s Ashes and T20 World Cup 2026 build-up has suffered a setback with Pat Cummins ruled out of the upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand and India due to lumbar bone stress.

Though scans confirmed he has avoided stress fractures, the Australian Test captain will undergo rehabilitation after experiencing back soreness following the West Indies tour. His participation in the opening Ashes Test against England in Perth on November 21 also remains under a cloud.

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The 31-year-old, however, is optimistic about returning in time for the marquee series despite limited match practice.

“I’m never going to go into a Test match unless you think you can finish the Test match,” Cummins told cricket.com.au.

“But when you’re 18 or 19, you’re like, ‘Let’s make sure this is the perfect rehab, whether it takes an extra six months’. Whereas, I’m happy to be a bit like, ‘Well, it’s an Ashes series, whatever it takes to play it’.

“Then, say, at the end, if you’re still not 100 per cent and you need to then have a bit of a break next year … there’s not another Ashes series.”

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, he admitted he was prepared to push his body in order to feature in the Ashes.

“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. 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,” he said.

“Back then you probably felt like you needed to play a few Shield games or one-dayers. I’m pretty confident even if I don’t get a chance to play a Shield game, I can get up to speed pretty quickly.”

Cummins also tempered expectations on playing the entire series.

“Every summer, I say, the aim is to try and play all five Tests. Realistically, it’s probably not going to happen,” he told SEN Cricket.

“I mean, last year I did. But most summers, you kind of miss one or two. We’ll wait and see but the intention is to try and play as many as possible,” he added.

Australia will attempt to defend the Ashes on home soil, having retained the urn in a 2-2 draw in England in 2023. Cummins claimed 18 wickets in that series, following up his tally of 21 at an average of 18 during the 4-0 win in 2021-22 at home.