Australia will travel to New Zealand for their upcoming white-ball series without captain Pat Cummins, after medical scans confirmed he is suffering from lumbar bone stress in his lower back. While not a stress fracture, the condition is being carefully managed by Cricket Australia’s medical team to prevent further complications.
The issue emerged after the West Indies Test series, where Cummins carried a heavy workload. Bone stress is often a precursor to more serious injuries, and given Cummins’ history of back problems early in his career, selectors have taken a cautious stance.
Pat Cummins will miss Australia’s white-ball matches against New Zealand and India
Cummins has been ruled out of both the New Zealand tour and the white-ball series against India that follows. Cricket Australia confirmed that he will not feature in ODIs or T20Is over the coming months, with management focusing on his recovery and long-term workload.
This setback is particularly sensitive for the 31-year-old, who missed almost six years of Test cricket due to similar back injuries earlier in his career. Since returning, he has become the backbone of Australia’s attack, and protecting his fitness has become a priority.
Why selectors are prioritizing Cummins’ fitness?
The decision to rest Cummins is driven by the looming Ashes series in November 2025, where Australia will host England in a five-Test contest. Team management sees the Ashes as the marquee event of the year, and ensuring their captain is fresh and fully fit is paramount.
Cummins himself echoed this sentiment, admitting his long-term focus is on red-ball cricket. By sitting out limited-overs series, he will have the necessary time to rehabilitate and gradually prepare for the high-intensity demands of Test matches.
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With Cummins sidelined, Australia’s selectors will look to rotate their pace options during the New Zealand and India tours. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott and Nathan Ellis are all likely to feature prominently across formats. This provides Australia with the chance to test their bench strength while also managing workloads of their senior fast bowlers.
While Cummins’ leadership and bowling expertise will be missed, the short-term adjustment could help identify backup options ahead of major tournaments, including the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Cricket Australia has made it clear that their strategy is focused on long-term player management. For Cummins, avoiding aggravation of his current condition is critical, as any setback could threaten his participation in the Ashes and beyond.
Medical staff will continue to monitor his progress closely, with a tailored rehabilitation plan in place. The aim is to have Cummins gradually return to bowling workloads, ensuring he peaks at the right time for red-ball cricket.
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