Last Updated on 4 weeks by Charbel Coorey

Australia captain Pat Cummins will have a scan this week, which is expected to reveal evidence of a back issue, according to a CODE Sports report. The report hinted that the captain may need to be managed during the series depending on the severity of the issue.

Cummins will miss the upcoming T20I tour of New Zealand, while his participation in the ODI series against India and Sheffield Shield is currently up in the air.

Australia captain Pat Cummins to have back scans after reporting discomfort following West Indies tour

The captain reported tightness since returning from the Caribbean following Australia’s 3-0 win in the Test series. Cricket Australia (CA) insist the process is routine, but the fact that a scan is expected to reveal a back issue is concerning just over two months’ out from the Ashes.

“It’s understood a routine back scan undertaken by Cummins is set to show an issue of some sort that will need to be managed by Australia in the lead-up to the Ashes,” wrote Ben Horne for CODE Sports. “Cummins will miss next month’s T20s against New Zealand and he may also be in doubt for one-dayers against India in October.”

CA remain optimistic that Cummins will be good to go for the start of the Ashes. However, if Cummins misses any or all of the Tests, it will increase the pressure on Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland. There are also numerous injuries in Australia’s pace bowling reserves, with Lance Morris and Spencer Johnson unavailable. Also, Jhye Richardson will not be fit for the start of the summer.

The early part of Cummins’ career was hampered by back injuries, and the hope is this is not a serious issue. The fast bowler has been a regular in Australia’s team across formats, with his body holding up well after remodelling his action in his early days under the guidance of legend Dennis Lillee.