Overview

• Cricket Australia confirmed lumbar bone stress in Cummins’ lower back, clearing him of a full stress fracture but requiring careful management.
• Cummins is out of the New Zealand T20s and India limited-overs series and is restricted to light gym work with no running or bowling after not bowling since the West Indies tour.
• CA’s medical team, including Dr John Orchard, Leigh Golding and Nick Jones, will reassess his condition in roughly four weeks.
• Availability for the Perth Ashes opener on November 21 remains uncertain, and selectors are preparing cover with Steve Smith as stand-in captain and Scott Boland among pace options.
• Cummins said missing the opener would be “devastating” and he is prepared to “take a few risks” in an accelerated rehab, confident he can be Test-ready even without Sheffield Shield match practice.