Cummins to take rehab risks to be fit for Ashes

Pat Cummins is recognised as one of the worlds leading fast bowlers

Australia captain Pat Cummins is willing to be "aggressive" and "take risks" with his rehabilitation from a back injury in order to be fit for the first Ashes Test against England this winter.

Cummins has been ruled out of Australias upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand and India after scans revealed a lumbar bone stress in his back.

The 32-year-old said it would be "devastating" if he missed out on the first Ashes Test, which starts on 21 November in Perth, Western Australia.

"Im never going to go into a Test match unless I think I can finish the Test match," Cummins said.

"But when youre 18 or 19, youre like, lets make sure this is the perfect rehab, whether it takes an extra six months. Whereas, Im happy to be a bit like, well, its an Ashes series, whatever it takes to play it.

"Then, say, at the end, if youre still not 100% and you need to have a bit of a break next year, theres not another Ashes series."

Cummins has been restricted to light gym work since his last Test appearance against West Indies in July and is prepared to go into the Ashes without having played any domestic cricket.

"Youre willing to take a few risks and be a little bit aggressive to try and play as many Tests as you can," he added.

"Im pretty confident even if I dont get a chance to play a [Sheffield] Shield game, I can get up to speed pretty quickly.

"Im still doing a bit of gym work, but no real running, no bowling. Get that right and then well build up to the summer.

"Weve got loads of time, theres about 12 weeks until the first Test. Well see how the next little bit pans out."

Cummins has a history of back injuries, with flare-ups in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 causing him to miss three Australian summers in four years.

In 2018, he suffered a recurrence that ruled him out of the Indian Premier League in April and an October tour of Pakistan, although he has stayed relatively free of injury since then.

Australia drew 2-2 in England to retain the Ashes in 2023 and Cummins took 18 wickets during the series.

Overall, he has taken 91 wickets against England in 19 Tests at an average of 24.10.