Australia captain Pat Cummins 'willing to take a few risks' in bid to return from injury ahead of Ashes series against England
Published 03/09/2025 at 13:53 GMT+1
Australia captain Pat Cummins has given fans a fitness update ahead of the Ashes series against England. The 32-year-old fast bowler insists he is "willing to take a few risks" and be aggressive in his bid to be back in time to defend the urn. Cummins is currently suffering from a lumbar bone stress in his back. He has been captain of Australia's Test side since November 2021.
'What a catch!' - Labuschagne dives headlong to dismiss Mulder
Video credit: TNT Sports
Australia captain Pat Cummins is "willing to take a few risks" to be fit enough to face England in the 2025/26 Ashes series.
The old foes will face off Down Under live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
The 32-year-old fast bowler has a lumbar bone stress in his back that looks set to rule him out of his side’s T20 and ODI clashes with New Zealand and India this month.
The opening Test of the Ashes is scheduled to get underway on November 21 in Perth, and Cummins is in a race against time to return for the encounter.
He insists he is willing to take a few risks in order to play as much of the series as possible.
"I'm never going to go into a Test match unless I think I can finish the Test match," Cummins said.
"But when you're 18 or 19, you're like, 'let's make sure this is the perfect rehab, whether it takes an extra six months'.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/08/06/image-ccab3b05-cccc-433d-be17-ab8c32804fc1-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Stokes admits to 'disappointment and frustration' at drawn India series
Video credit: TNT Sports
"Whereas, I'm happy to be a bit like, 'well, it's an Ashes series, whatever it takes to play it'.
"Then, say, at the end, if you're still not 100%, and you need to have a bit of a break next year, there's not another Ashes series.
"You're willing to take a few risks and be a little bit aggressive to try and play as many Tests as you can." Â
Cummins has captained Australia since November 2021 and guided his side to victory in the 2021/2022 Ashes.
Australia had to settle for a 2-2 draw last time out, but that meant they still retained the coveted urn.
- 'Awesome' Baker to make England debut in South Africa ODI
- Hazlewood praises 'unbelievable' England batting line-up ahead of Ashes
Cummins says he can get up to speed quickly if he is forced to enter the Ashes without playing any domestic cricket.
"I'm pretty confident even if I don't get a chance to play a [Sheffield] Shield game, I can get up to speed pretty quickly," he added.
"I'm still doing a bit of gym work, but no real running, no bowling. Get that right and then we'll build up to the summer.
"We've got loads of time, there's about 12 weeks until the first Test. We'll see how the next little bit pans out."
Watch and stream top cricket action, including the 2025/26 Ashes series, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement