Australian captain Pat Cummins with the diagnosis of back problem, but expects to be fit for Ashes Opener

Australian Captain Pat Cummins has been diagnosed with a back problem, with less than three months to go for the Ashes series of this winter.

The 32-year-old has lumbar bone stress in his lower back, the reaction of a typical fast bowler to a high workload.

But Cricket Australia is convinced that Cummins will be suitable for the first test against England, which starts in Perth on November 21, even if he has had inactivity for four months before the series starts.

Quoted on cricket.com.au, Australia, chairman of selectors George Bailey, reporters told that team officials were “full expectations that Pat will be right to get that first test”.

Bailey continued: “He is definitely a … that went into different phases in different phases without a large amount of competition balls at different times,”

“He used a day of cricket to build. Just considering we are how far we are, there is the potential for some shield cricket in the run -up. There are still options there.

“If it came on stage where they were taken from the table, I still think we would feel comfortable with Pat’s experience and skill level.

“There is enough time in the reach of 80 days. Even if matching time is limited, we are confidence in his experience and preparation.”

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Schedule

Cummins played for the last time in the third test in the West Indies in July before missing the White-Ball series against the same opponents and South Africa.

Australia travels to New Zealand in October for three Twenty20 matches before entertaining India in three one-day internationals and five T20 matches for the Ashes.

Bailey said: “This probably slows him when he actually starts with bowling again.

“But in terms of the work of the gym and on top of many of those other physical things that he likes to get on top before Big Series, I am pretty sure that this will work.”

Cummins’ colleague -Bowler Mitchell Starc has meanwhile retired from T20 International Cricket to concentrate on his test -and ODI career.

“Test Cricket is and has always been my highest priority,” said Starc in a statement published by Cricket Australia.

“I kept every minute of every T20 game that I played for Australia, especially the World Cup 2021, not only because we won, but the incredible group and the pleasure on the road.

“Looking ahead to a road -indian test tour, the ashes and an ODI World Cup in 2027, I think this is my best way to stay fresh, fit and at my best for those campaigns.

“It also gives the bowling group the time to prepare for the T20 World Cup in the matches that lead to that tournament.”