Australia has officially retained the Ashes, but the victory has come at a significant cost. Captain Pat Cummins will play no further part in the series, and a cloud of uncertainty now looms over his participation in the upcoming T20I World Cup in February.
When the squad for the Boxing Day Test was announced on Tuesday, it was confirmed that Pat Cummins would sit out the Melbourne clash. Shortly after, head coach Andrew McDonald clarified that the skipper’s series was entirely over.
After battling a lumbar stress reaction following the West Indies tour, Cummins underwent an “aggressive” rehabilitation program to return for the third Test in Adelaide. His impact was immediate—claiming six wickets to secure a 3-0 lead—but the physical toll was high.
ALSO READ- Zimbabwe Cricket announces new Test and ODI Captain
“He’s pulled up fine,” McDonald noted, “but to position him for further risk and jeopardise him long-term is not something we want to do.” The medical staff and selectors are prioritizing Cummins’ long-term health over the remaining dead-rubber matches.
The focus now shifts to the T20I World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Pat Cummins has not played a T20I for Australia since mid-2024, and with a check-in scan scheduled, his readiness for the February tournament remains “grey.” The stakes are high; following the World Cup, Cummins is also slated to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026.
FOLLOW US ON OUR FB PAGE
McDonald admitted the path to the World Cup is unclear: “Whether he’ll be there or not, I can’t really say. We’re hopeful.” For now, Australia celebrates an Ashes triumph, but the cricket world waits to see if Pat Cummins can win his race against time for the global stage.