Pat Cummins injury concern for Australia ahead of Ashes as Mitchell Starc announces T20I retirement
Australia captain Pat Cummins has been dealing with signs of lumbar bone stress that sees him rested with preparation for The Ashes ramping up; fellow fast bowler Mitchell Starc has announced his retirement from T20I cricket to focus on other formats
Wednesday 3 September 2025 12:16, UK
Pat Cummins has been dealt an injury blow ahead of The Ashes, with the Australia captain suffering a lower back issue, but he is expected to be fit for the series against England.
The injury has ruled Cummins out of his side's upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand plus India, with scans indicating signs of 'lumbar bone stress'.
The pain initially flared up on Australia's tour of West Indies and will be something that requires management with just under three months until The Ashes gets under way on November 21.
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Cummins said he had been taking it easy since returning sore from the West Indies.
"With bone injuries, you really just want to settle it down," he said.
"I'm still doing a bit of gym, but no real running, no bowling. Get that right and then we'll build up to the summer. We've got loads of time, there's about 12 weeks until the first Test. We'll see how the next little bit pans out.
"It's a big Ashes series, it doesn't get much bigger, so you're willing to be aggressive and take a few risks to try to play as much of the Tests as you can."
Cummins said his experience should help him hit the ground running when he does get the all clear from medical staff to return to bowling.
"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 added.
"I'm pretty confident even if I don't get a chance to play a (Sheffield) Shield game, I can get up to speed."
Cummins is a player that Australia will want in their team as they look to retain The Ashes with the skipper having taken 91 wickets against England across 19 Tests.
Starc announces T20I retirement to prioritise other formats
Meanwhile, veteran Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has retired from T20I cricket in a bid to extend his career in the Test and one-day formats.
The 35-year-old, who took 79 wickets in 65 T20 internationals for Australia, said Test cricket was his priority and he needed to prepare for an intense international schedule over the next two years.
Starc wants to be at full fitness for The Ashes and the Test series in India next year as well as the next ODI World Cup in 2027, and decided something had to give.
"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," he said.
"Looking ahead [T20 retirement] is my best way forward to remain fresh, fit and at my best for those campaigns.
"It also gives the bowling group time to prepare for the T20 World Cup in the matches leading into that tournament."
Ashes series in Australia 2025-26 🏏
All times UK and Ireland
- First Test: Friday November 21-Tuesday November 25 (2.30am) - Optus Stadium, Perth
- Second Test (day/night): Thursday December 4-Monday December 8 (4.30am) - The Gabba, Brisbane
- Third Test: Wednesday December 17-Sunday December 21 (12am) - Adelaide Oval
- Fourth Test: Thursday December 25-Monday December 29 (11.30pm) - Melbourne Cricket Ground
- Fifth Test: Sunday January 4-Thursday January 8 (11.30pm) - Sydney Cricket Ground
