Pat Cummins Excluded from Ashes and Faces Doubt for T20 World Cup

Pat Cummins Withdrawn from Ashes Series

Australia's Ashes journey will proceed without their captain, Pat Cummins, who has been ruled out due to a persistent back injury. The team's selectors and medical personnel are exercising caution, leading to uncertainty regarding his participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup scheduled for February.

Confirmation of Cummins' Absence

On Tuesday morning, it was officially announced that Cummins would not play in the fourth Test against England, a decision he hinted at following the match in Adelaide. Australia’s head coach, Andrew McDonald, confirmed that Cummins' series was concluded after just one match, which contributed to securing the Ashes title. Prior to the announcement of the T20 World Cup squad, McDonald mentioned that Cummins would undergo a scan to evaluate his recovery, stating that his availability remains uncertain.

Coach McDonald Discusses Risk Management

"He has recovered well, but he will not participate in the remaining matches of the series. This was a decision we discussed extensively regarding his return," McDonald stated, as reported by ESPNcricinfo. "We were aware of the risks involved, and now that we have won the series, we do not want to jeopardize his long-term health. Pat is comfortable with this decision," he added.

"We will assess his chances for the T20 World Cup. I expect he will have a follow-up scan soon to provide more clarity on his back condition. At this point, it’s uncertain whether he will be available for the World Cup, but we remain hopeful," McDonald concluded.

Details of Injury and Replacement

Cummins was diagnosed with a lumbar stress reaction following the West Indies tour. After an intensive rehabilitation program, he performed exceptionally in the third Ashes Test, taking six wickets and helping Australia secure an 82-run victory. Jhye Richardson has been called up to replace Cummins and is in contention for the fourth Test. Richardson last played a Test match during the 2021-22 Ashes series.

In Cummins' absence, Steve Smith will captain the team. Notably, Cummins has not participated in a T20I for Australia since the 2024 T20 World Cup held in the Caribbean and the USA.

Australia's Squad for the Fourth Test

The squad for the fourth Test includes: Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, and Beau Webster.