Win Projections to be updated soon
Sydney, 10 September 2025:
Pat Cummins insists Australia’s fast-bowling stocks remain strong despite his own injury setback and a string of concerns around pace depth ahead of the Ashes.
The Test captain has been managing lingering back soreness since Australia’s Test series win in the West Indies two months ago. Scans revealed lumbar bone stress, and while no timeline has been set for his return, the 32-year-old is confident he can be ready for the first Test against England in Perth on Nov. 21.
“I’d imagine (I’d want to be bowling) at minimum a month out, maybe six weeks,” Cummins said Tuesday as Cricket Australia announced Chemist Warehouse as a sponsor. “But I’ve not thought that deeply about it yet. It’s still a bit of a wait and see. We’ve got plenty of time, so we’ll map a way back when we get closer.”
Cummins said he is prepared to go into the Ashes without a Sheffield Shield game under his belt if required.
Australia’s pace depth has been tested in recent weeks. Lance Morris has been ruled out of the summer following back surgery, while Jhye Richardson’s Ashes availability remains uncertain as he recovers from a dislocated shoulder. Young quicks Callum Vidler and Mahli Beardman are also sidelined with back stress fractures.
Still, Cummins said he was confident in the options available.
“We feel really well placed. A lot of planning goes in, it’s not just a month before, it’s 12 months out,” he said. “Someone like Jhye Richardson hopefully will be available for some of the summer. There’s (Michael) Neser, Brendan Doggett was part of squads last year, Sean Abbott. So I’m really confident in our depth.”
Scott Boland remains part of Australia’s frontline group and is likely next in line should injury strike.
England, meanwhile, are building back towards full strength. Jofra Archer returned to Test cricket in July and impressed with 4-18 from nine overs against South Africa in an ODI last week.
“(He’s) got quicker. It was box-office bowling,” England coach Brendon McCullum said. “He’s going to be a huge player when we get to Australia, as a number of others are.”
Mark Wood is also expected to be fit for the Ashes, while Ben Stokes has resumed training after a shoulder injury. Chris Woakes, man of the series in the 2023 Ashes, has not given up hope of featuring despite opting against surgery on his own shoulder issue.
