 |
| Image Source: ABC.net |
However, the biggest headline surrounding the Australian camp is the fitness of their captain and star fast bowler, Pat Cummins. Sidelined since July 2025 with a persistent back injury, Cummins has provided a promising, yet cautious, update on his return to cricket, confirming he will miss the first Test but is firmly focused on a dramatic comeback in the second match.
When Will Pat Cummins Return? The Second Ashes Test is the Target
The immediate Pat Cummins return date for international cricket is currently projected for Thursday, December 4, 2025, the starting day for the Second Ashes Test at The Gabba in Brisbane.
After months of intensive rehabilitation for a lower back injury sustained during the series against the West Indies, Cummins is making encouraging progress. While he won't feature in the First Test against England in Perth (November 21-25, 2025), the Australian skipper is feeling optimistic.
"It's all feeling really good. On track and yeah, probably better than I expected," Cummins stated recently. He has progressed to bowling off a three-quarter run-up in the nets, building up to full pace sessions. Crucially, the plan for his return to Australia's playing XI is meticulously mapped out:
- Travel to Perth: Cummins will travel with the squad for the First Test, not to play, but to intensify his training regimen on the side lines.
- Full Workload Test: He aims to have a "really good bowl in Perth" off his full run-up, which will serve as the final fitness assessment before the Second Test.
- Gabba Comeback: If he passes this final fitness check, he will reclaim the captaincy from stand-in skipper Steve Smith for the day-night Test in Brisbane.
The Ashes 2025 Schedule and Workload Management Concerns
While the goal is the Gabba, Cummins has been remarkably candid about the physical demands of the five-match Aus vs. Eng Ashes 2025 series and the need for careful workload management. Given the short turnarounds, the fast bowling spearhead conceded that playing all four remaining Tests after his return might be a "bridge too far."
“I’m pretty keen to play as much as I can,” Cummins said, “but realistically, if we have a big game and bowl 40 or 50 overs and then there’s a game that starts a few days later, it might be a bridge too far.”
This caution suggests that Australia's selection panel might have to rotate their pace attack—which currently includes Scott Boland, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood—even with Cummins back in the side. The tight scheduling of the marquee fixtures makes rest a necessity, not an option:
| Test | Dates (2025-2026) | Venue |
| 1st Test | November 21 – 25, 2025 | Perth Stadium |
| 2nd Test | December 4 – 8, 2025 | The Gabba, Brisbane (Day/Night) |
| 3rd Test | December 17 – 21, 2025 | Adelaide Oval |
| 4th Test | December 26 – 30, 2025 | Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG - Boxing Day) |
| 5th Test | January 4 – 8, 2026 | Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG - New Year's Test) |
The four-day gap between the Third Test in Adelaide and the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, followed by a short break before the Fifth Test, presents the biggest challenge. Cummins may be rested for one of these crucial encounters to ensure his availability for the most high-impact matches.
The Team Dynamics: Smith Steps Up in Perth
In Cummins' absence for the series opener, Steve Smith has been named captain for the Perth Test. Smith, along with frontline pacers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, will lead the attack. Scott Boland, who has proven to be an incredibly effective stand-in, is widely expected to secure the third fast bowler spot, ensuring Australia maintains a high-quality pace contingent despite their regular captain's absence.
The good news for Australia is that Cummins has reported "no stress so far" in his recovery, suggesting the injury is responding well to the carefully planned build-up. His ability to hit the ground running with full-tilt bowling sessions in Perth will be the deciding factor.
For the Australian cricket fraternity, the sight of Pat Cummins returns to the bowling crease, armed with his searing pace and relentless accuracy, will be the signal that the Ashes is truly underway. While he might not play every match, his targeted comeback at The Gabba will be an immense psychological boost for the defending champions as they aim to keep the urn away from Ben Stokes' English side.
