Australia will start the first Ashes test without captain Pat Cummins, who is replaced by Steve Smith due to Cummins’ ongoing back injury. Concerns arose that Cummins might miss the entire series after recent scans revealed the injury had not fully healed. Coach Andrew McDonald expressed optimism for Cummins’ return in the second test, noting that Cummins will resume bowling this week as part of his recovery process.
Despite Cummins’ absence, Australia is confident in Smith’s leadership. Smith, reinstated as captain after his involvement in the 2018 sandpaper scandal, will lead the team alongside McDonald’s support. Scott Boland is set to fill Cummins’ spot in the upcoming test, potentially forming a strong bowling trio with Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.
The Ashes competition will kick off in Perth next month, with Australia monitoring Cummins’ progress for the subsequent matches, including the second test at The Gabba in Queensland. The final test is scheduled for early January in Sydney. To stay updated on the latest news and content, readers can join the new WhatsApp community from Mirror for exclusive offers and promotions.
