Pat Cummins Ruled Out of White-Ball Series

SYDNEY: Scans have revealed lumbar bone stress in Australian Test captain Pat Cummins’ back, sidelining him for the forthcoming white-ball series against both New Zealand and India.

Cricket Australia (CA) has confirmed that Cummins will now focus on further rehabilitation. His condition will be carefully monitored as he prepares for the home Ashes series, which is slated to commence in November.

The issue came to light during routine assessments conducted following the World Test Championship final and the West Indies tour earlier in the year. Although the scans did not detect a fracture, the stress level observed necessitates a prolonged period of rest.

Since assuming the captaincy in November 2021, Cummins has managed a significant Test workload, only missing two Tests due to injury.

During his tenure, Australia clinched the WTC title, successfully retained the Ashes in England, and won the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Cummins played a pivotal role in the last two Ashes campaigns, including delivering 95.1 overs in four matches in England and the Caribbean this year—a workload that heightened his back problems.

Despite being a consistent performer for Australia, Cummins has a history of back ailments. Recurring stress fractures previously hampered his career following his impressive Test debut in 2011.

After a full recovery in 2017, he became a mainstay in Australia’s attack, missing only one of the last 20 Ashes Tests.

Should Cummins be unable to regain full fitness before the Ashes opener in Perth, selectors might consider Scott Boland to bolster the pace attack. Vice-captain Steve Smith would be the likely candidate to take over as captain, a role he previously filled during the Sri Lanka series.

Separately, Cricket Australia unveiled a 14-player squad on Tuesday for the upcoming three-match T20I series against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui.

All-rounder Marcus Stoinis is set to make a comeback after retiring from ODIs earlier this year. Stoinis, who has not been under a national or state contract for the past year, last represented Australia in late 2024.

The squad also includes Mitch Owen, returning from a concussion sustained against South Africa, and Matt Short, who has recovered from a side strain he picked up during training in Jamaica.

The T20I series against New Zealand will kick off on October 1 at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, with the subsequent matches scheduled for October 3 and 4.

Following the New Zealand tour, Australia is set to host India for a three-match ODI and five-match T20I series from October 19 to November 8.

Australia Squad for New Zealand series:

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