Australian Test captain Pat Cummins will undergo a carefully managed rehabilitation program after scans revealed lumbar bone stress in his back, casting doubt over his immediate white-ball commitments. Cricket Australia confirmed the 32-year-old pacer has been ruled out of the upcoming limited-overs series against New Zealand in October and India from October to November, as he focuses on recovery ahead of the home Ashes series starting in November.

The issue surfaced during routine assessments following the World Test Championship Final and Australia’s West Indies tour earlier this year. While scans showed no fracture, the stress level was significant enough to sideline Cummins for an extended period of rest and monitoring.

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Since taking over as captain in November 2021, Cummins has shouldered a heavy workload, playing nearly every Test match and leading Australia to multiple triumphs, including the WTC title, Ashes retention in England, and the 2023 ODI World Cup. He bowled 95.1 overs across recent matches in England and the Caribbean, a workload believed to have aggravated his long-standing back concerns.

Pat Cummins’ back injury has ruled him out of Australia’s white-ball series against New Zealand and India, with Cricket Australia saying the issue ‘will require further management’ ahead of the Ashes… pic.twitter.com/BN1ERyde3a

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) September 2, 2025

Back injuries have been a recurring theme in Cummins’ career, with stress fractures repeatedly interrupting his progress following his remarkable Test debut in 2011. His consistent run only began in 2017, and he has since been a mainstay, missing just one of the last 20 Ashes Tests.

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If Cummins is unable to regain full fitness in time for the Ashes opener in Perth, selectors could call upon Scott Boland to lead the attack, with vice-captain Steve Smith stepping in as captain if needed. Cummins’ leadership and strike power remain central to Australia’s Ashes hopes, making his recovery a top priority.

Australia will now balance caution with preparation, ensuring their spearhead is fully fit to defend the urn on home soil.