Cummins concerns as captain forced to prove Ashes fitness

Australia's Ashes and T20 World Cup 2026 preparations have taken a blow with Pat Cummins set to miss white-ball series against New Zealand and India due to lumbar bone stress.

Whilst clear of stress fractures, the Australian Test captain will continue a rehabilitation plan after complaining of back soreness following his side's successful tour of the West Indies, and remains no guarantee to feature in the first Ashes Test against England on November 21.

Despite the setback, chairman of selectors George Bailey believes there are no major concerns for Cummins, and remains positive he will play the first Ashes Test in Perth from November 21.

"It still feels like there's plenty of time," Bailey told reporters on Tuesday.

"(The) full expectation (is) that Pat will be right to go come the first Test."

Back injuries plagued Cummins in the early stages of his international career, though since his appointment as Test captain in November 2021, the fast bowler has missed just two matches in the format.

One absence was during the last Ashes home series (2021/2022), where Cummins was ruled out of the Adelaide Test after being a close contact of a COVID-19 case.

When asked if there were concerns surrounding Cummins' selection in spite of a lack of match action, Bailey pointed to the fast bowler's consistency across a glittering career, having taken 309 Test wickets at a tick over just 22.

"If it got to that stage (where Cummins played no cricket ahead of the Ashes) I still think that we'd be comfortable with Pat's experience and skill level," Bailey said.

Australia aim to defend the Ashes on home soil, having retained the urn in a 2-2 series draw in England two years ago. Cummins took 18 wickets during the series, backing up his series leadin 21 scalps at 18 in Australia's 4-0 win over the old enemy at home in 2021-22.

The Aussies too will be forced into a rethink in the T20I format, with Mitchell Starc's retirement in the format on top of Cummins' injury leading to a bowling reshuffle.

Recalled all-rounder Marcus Stoinis is one player who looks set to carry the bowling workload in the pair's absence, alongside fellow quicks Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Xavier Bartlett and Josh Hazlewood.

Australian T20 Squad for New Zealand series:

Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Matthew Short, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Owen, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Matt Kuhnemann