Pat Cummins is no certainty to captain Australia in the first Ashes Test as he deals with stress in his back, while Mitchell Starc has announced his retirement from T20 internationals.
The star quick will miss upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand India due to lumbar bone stress.
Cummins will be racing the clock to be fit for Australia’s opening Test in Perth against England, starting on November 21.
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“Despite this planned de-load period, Cummins has experienced some ongoing lower back pain following the West Indies Test tour,” a CA spokesperson said.
“Further investigation has identified a level of lumbar bone stress that will require further management over the coming months.
“Cummins won’t be considered for the upcoming limited-overs series against India and will continue his rehabilitation plan with a return to bowling to be determined as part of his Ashes preparation.”
Although Cummins would undoubtedly be a giant loss, Australia have captaincy and bowling options to cover him if he isn’t fit.
Scott Boland would almost certainly be called into the pace attack, with the Victorian spectacularly taking a hat-trick in Australia’s previous Test against West Indies in July.
Former skipper Steve Smith has also covered for Cummins numerous times since the star quick became Test captain in November 2021.
Cummins missed a Test during the 2021-22 Ashes due to COVID-19 protocols, while the 32-year-old didn’t play in the final two games of Australia’s tour of India in 2023 due to the death of his mother.
Meanwhile, fellow star quick Starc has announced his retirement from international T20s in a bid to preserve his Test career.
“Test cricket is and has always been my highest priority,” Starc said.
“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.
“Looking ahead to an away Indian Test tour, the Ashes and an ODI World Cup in 2027, I feel this is my best way forward to remain fresh, fit and at my best for those campaigns.”
In his 65 games, Starc’s 79 wickets places him second on the all-time T20I wicket-taking list for Australia, only behind white-ball specialist spinner Adam Zampa.
Josh Hazlewood, though, will feature in the three T20s in New Zealand, starting on October 1.
Those matches — all at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui — clash with the start of the Sheffield Shield.
Batting allrounder Cameron Green, coming off a maiden ODI century last month, will play for Western Australia instead of flying across the Tasman.
Australian T20 squad
Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitch Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.
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