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“I’m worried”: Why we should be concerned about Cummins’ back injury
SEN • September 8th, 2025 2:54 pm
Veteran cricket journalist Robert Craddock admits he is concerned about Pat Cummins' back injury.
The Aussie skipper is currently dealing with a lumbar bone stress injury, which has forced him into a period of rest ahead of the series.
While Cricket Australia and Cummins himself are hopeful he’ll be good to go for the first Test in Perth on November 21, the only strenuous physical activity he’s currently doing is leg work in the gym, with bowling, batting, and even running currently out of the question.
With Cummins needing the injury to settle down significantly before he can begin ramping up his preparations, Craddock can’t see the 32-year-old playing all five Tests, with three a more realistic proposition.
The veteran journalist is also concerned for Australia’s bowling depth if another one of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood or Scott Boland goes down with an injury.
“I’m worried, to be honest,” Craddock told SEN Whateley.
“I'm concerned for this Cummins thing because I know everyone's saying, ‘With a month of rest, it could be right’.
“But the words used that they're going to be quite aggressive with it to get Pat back is worrying.
“I was talking to Josh Hazlewood the other day, who's had three stress fractures in the back. This (Cummins’ injury) isn't a category A stress fracture, but there's a little bit of a problem there.
“He said, ‘One thing you can't rush is backs, I can tell you with experience, you've just got to be really patient with them’.
“There's no way that Cummins will play all five Tests. Best-case scenario, I reckon he may play three, but he will be managed throughout the series if he gets there.
“If things take a turn south and he doesn't get there, well, then it becomes a fascinating Ashes series.
“Steve Smith would come in as captain, and Scott Boland comes in, but who’s the bowler behind him? I can’t name who that is.”
From an individual point of view, Craddock thinks losing Cummins would be a critical blow for Australia, not just for his leadership and ability to deliver in big moments, but simply for his outstanding record, which is up there among the greatest Aussie quicks ever.
“Absolutely,” Craddock said.
“The greatest quality of Pat Cummins' captaincy is also its most underrated quality, and that is his calmness in big moments.
“In an Ashes series, when the heat and the intensity is absolutely blistering, he's calm, you know, he relaxes other players.
“I'm not saying Steve Smith isn't calm, but I'm saying Cummins is just like your father, who keeps everything in check, who doesn't panic. So, he'll be missed.
“Never mind the fact that you, you're also statistically taking a Dennis Lillee out of your attack.”
Cummins has taken a brilliant 91 wickets against England from 19 Ashes Tests at an average of 24.10.
The first Test between Australia and England is set for November 21 in Perth. Listen to every ball of the 2025/26 Ashes series LIVE on SEN – your home of cricket.
