Cummins will play 'major part' in Ashes

Cummins Will Play ‘Major Part’ in Ashes, Says Australia Coach

Australia captain Pat Cummins is set to play a “major part” in the upcoming Ashes series, with team management confirming his readiness to lead both with the ball and as skipper after a carefully managed return to peak fitness.

After months of workload management following a packed calendar — including the World Cup, a long Test summer, and franchise cricket — Cummins’ fitness and availability had been a key talking point ahead of the five-Test showdown against England. But according to head coach Andrew McDonald, there’s no doubt that the Australian fast bowler will be central to their Ashes campaign.

“Pat’s in great shape,” McDonald told reporters in Brisbane. “He’s had the right preparation, both physically and mentally, and we’re confident he’ll play a major part in the Ashes. We’ve managed his bowling load carefully, and he’s right where we need him to be.”

Cummins, 32, has been Australia’s cornerstone in all formats, combining lethal pace and consistency with calm leadership. Since taking over the Test captaincy in late 2021, he’s helped Australia claim the World Test Championship title and retain the Ashes in England in 2023.

Questions over his durability emerged after a demanding 2024, when he juggled Test captaincy duties with ODI and T20 commitments. He missed parts of the limited-overs season to focus on recovery, sparking speculation that selectors might rotate him through the Ashes to preserve his fitness. But McDonald’s comments have effectively put those doubts to rest.

“The idea of resting Pat during the Ashes isn’t really on the table,” McDonald said. “He thrives on these big contests. He’s our leader, and he wants to be in the thick of it.”

Cummins’ inclusion is especially crucial given the expected seaming conditions in England. His ability to extract bounce and movement while maintaining control at high speeds makes him a formidable weapon, especially with the Dukes ball. The coach also highlighted Cummins’ role as a mentor to the rest of the bowling unit, including Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and rising quick Lance Morris.

“There’s a real sense of unity in our bowling group,” McDonald said. “Pat leads by example — he’s meticulous in preparation and relentless in execution. Having him fully fit changes the entire dynamic of our attack.”

Cummins himself recently downplayed any concerns about fatigue, saying he felt “fresh, motivated, and ready for the challenge.” Speaking to Fox Cricket earlier this week, he said: “The Ashes is as big as it gets. I wouldn’t miss a moment. My body feels great, and I’m ready to bowl long spells if that’s what the team needs.”

With the opening Test scheduled at the Gabba, Australia’s selectors face the welcome headache of fitting in their pace arsenal. The rotation strategy that worked during the 2023-24 home summer could come into play later in the series, but Cummins’ leadership and rhythm make him nearly undroppable.

Former captain Ricky Ponting also weighed in, praising Cummins’ resilience: “He’s the best all-format bowler in the world right now. His control, consistency, and temperament are second to none. The Ashes brings out the best in him.”

Australia’s preparation for the series includes an intra-squad match and a warm-up fixture against a County XI, where Cummins is expected to feature in short bursts. Team insiders say the aim is to keep him sharp without overloading before the high-intensity series begins.

As England looks to reclaim the urn under Ben Stokes, the spotlight will inevitably fall on the Australian attack. With Cummins confirmed to lead from the front, the visitors’ confidence appears unshakable.

“The Ashes always come down to big moments,” McDonald concluded. “And you can be sure Pat will be in the middle of them.”

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