Australia’s cricket captain, Pat Cummins, is on the road to complete recovery. Though he will be absent from the limited-overs fixtures against New Zealand and India with recurring back problems, his plan is to be fit for an Ashes series against England later this year. The series will begin on Friday, November 21, in Perth, Western Australia.
At 35 years old, Cummins is the key player on the field for the Australian team. In the 71 Test matches he has played, he has 309 scalps that include an incredible average of 22.10. His record against England is even more special, taking 91 wickets in 19 Tests at an average of 24.10. During the 2023 Ashes series, he demonstrated his astounding ability by taking 18 wickets. His performance inspired Australia to tie the series at 2-2, earning his side retention of the Ashes title.
George Bailey, Australia’s chief selector, provided an optimistic outlook on Cummins’ recovery. He stated that “there’s plenty of time left – somewhere in the 80-day range,” suggesting that Cummins has ample opportunity to regain fitness ahead of the crucial series.
Even though he’s relatively new to the job, Bailey said he had faith in Cummins’ experience and preparation to deal with the challenges coming up. “Even if match time is limited, we’re confident in his experience and preparation,” he remarked.
Cummins has been no less humble to Australia’s shorter formats, taking 79 wickets at a rate of 79 in 65 fixtures. Even as a player, his leadership was vital in guiding Australia to win the T20 World Cup title in 2021. He’s proud of that successful campaign.
“I have loved every minute of every T20 game I have played for Australia, particularly the 2021 World Cup, not just because we won but the incredible group and the fun along the way,” – Mitchell Starc
Cricket Australia has confirmed that Cummins has had ongoing low back pain since the Test tour to the West Indies. Additional imaging uncovered a significant amount of lumbar bone stress that will require vigilant management in the months ahead.
Despite these challenges, Cummins remains focused on his future commitments, including the upcoming Indian Test tour, the Ashes series, and the ODI World Cup scheduled for 2027.
“Looking ahead to an away Indian Test tour, the Ashes and an ODI World Cup in 2027, I feel this is my best way forward to remain fresh, fit and at my best for those campaigns,” – Mitchell Starc
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