Pat Cummins ruled out of first Ashes Test, with Steve Smith to captain Australia

<ul><li><p>Bowler resumes running but will not make series opener in Perth</p></li><li><p>32-year-old says he ‘expects to return to bowling shortly’</p></li></ul><p>Pat Cummins is officially out of the first Ashes Test as he continues his recovery from a stress injury in his back, with Steve Smith to reassume the captaincy of Australia in the series opener against England next month.</p><p>Cummins has not bowled since Australia’s 3-0 series defeat of West Indies in July and had been in serious doubt for the match in Perth on 21 November. After months of speculation over whether he would recover in time, Cricket Australia on Monday finally confirmed that the quick would have to sit out the game at Optus Stadium.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/oct/27/pat-cummins-injury-australia-captain-out-first-ashes-test-cricket">Continue reading...</a>