Cummins’ damage issues heading into this winter’s Ashes could possibly be a case of a profession about to return full circle – however not in the way in which Australia’s captain may have wished.
He made his Check debut as an 18-year-old in 2011 in opposition to South Africa, turning into the second-youngest participant to take a five-wicket haul in an innings at the moment, regardless of sustaining a heel damage throughout the match.
However his explosive debut proved to be one thing of a false daybreak. Cummins needed to wait six years to make his second Check look as a younger physique failed to resist the load of quick bowling, struggling repeated stress fractures to his decrease again.
Quick-forward 14 years, to the upcoming winter of 2025, and again issues have as soon as once more resurfaced, albeit this time as “lumbar bone stress” relatively than a fracture. He has not bowled a ball since July.
If again accidents have plagued Cummins’ Check profession, durations of health have been crammed with ebullient excellence as a thoroughbred fast.
The 32-year-old, who was made Check captain within the wake of Tim Paine’s resignation shortly earlier than the 2021-22 Ashes, has taken 309 Check wickets at a mean of twenty-two.10.
He’s much more formidable in Australia, taking 177 wickets at 19.92, whereas he has additionally taken 91 wickets in opposition to England in simply 19 matches.
In the newest Ashes collection in 2023, Cummins performed in all 5 Checks, one among solely two bowlers to take action together with Stuart Broad, taking 18 wickets.
A talismanic chief, Cummins loved a wonderful 2023 as captain, taking six wickets in Australia’s triumphant World Check Championship last and starring of their 50-over World Cup last victory in Ahmedabad – each in opposition to India.
He’s the one captain in Check historical past to win the World Check Championship, World Cup and an Ashes collection.
