Harry Brook Says Cummins’ Absence Could Hand England an Advantage in the Ashes

LONDON — England batter Harry Brook believes that Australia captain Pat Cummins’ potential absence from the upcoming Ashes series could tilt the balance slightly in England’s favor, even as he warned against underestimating the depth of the Australian bowling attack.

Reports out of Australia this week suggest that Cummins may be forced to miss the first Ashes Test — and possibly more — due to a lingering back injury that has sidelined him since July. The 32-year-old fast bowler, regarded as one of the finest in the world, has been battling lumbar bone stress, and although head coach Andrew McDonald remains “optimistic” about his recovery, he admitted that “time is getting tight” ahead of the opening Test in Perth on November 21.

Speaking at the Professional Cricketers’ Association awards in London, Brook reflected on the potential implications of Cummins’ absence for the visiting England side.

“With him out of their side for the first game, from what we’ve seen, hopefully that plays into our hands,” Brook said. “Obviously he’s an amazing bowler and has been for many years; he bowls at high pace with high skill. But they have a lot of good bowlers, quick bowlers, so we can’t take anybody lightly.”

Cummins’ Race Against Time

Cummins, who has been central to Australia’s dominance across formats in recent years, last played in July before being ruled out with a stress injury in his back — an ailment that demands careful management and gradual rehabilitation.

Even if his recovery progresses smoothly, experts suggest he would need at least four weeks of build-up bowling to regain full match readiness. That timeline leaves the Australian skipper cutting it close to make the first Test, just six weeks away.

Australia’s medical team, in coordination with McDonald, is reportedly prioritizing long-term fitness over short-term risk. With five Tests squeezed into a demanding seven-week schedule, the selectors may opt to rest Cummins early to ensure he’s available for the bulk of the series.

Should Cummins be ruled out, Australia’s fast-bowling options remain strong but less imposing without their captain’s consistency and control. Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc are likely to spearhead the attack in Perth, with Boland — who famously took 6 for 7 on debut against England in Melbourne in 2021 — expected to shoulder greater responsibility.

Beyond that trio, Australia could draw on reserves such as Michael Neser, Brendan Doggett, and Sean Abbott, though all are short of recent Test experience. Given that Hazlewood and Starc are also in their early 30s, managing workloads will be crucial throughout the series.

Brook: “We Know What They’re Capable Of”

Despite the potential boost from Cummins’ absence, Brook emphasized that England would not underestimate any Australian lineup.

“They’ve got loads of amazing bowlers,” Brook told BBC Sport. “Whoever comes in, you know they’ll be skilful and ready. We’ll have to be at our best from the start.”

Brook’s measured comments reflect a maturity beyond his years — fitting for a player recently promoted to England’s Test vice-captain ahead of the Ashes tour. The 26-year-old has become one of the most dynamic batters in world cricket, earning the trust of England’s leadership group under head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes.

England’s Own Fitness Concerns

While Cummins’ fitness dominates headlines in Australia, England have their own captain to monitor. Ben Stokes, 34, missed the final Test of England’s summer series against India due to a shoulder injury. Though the all-rounder is expected to recover in time for Perth, he has not completed a full five-match Test series in nearly two years because of various fitness issues.

Brook, who has deputized for Stokes in limited-overs formats and now serves as his Test vice-captain, expressed full confidence that the skipper will be ready to lead from the front.

“I think he’ll power through even if he has a little niggle,” Brook said. “Everybody in the world knows what he’s like — his character, the way he just cracks on. I have full faith he’s going to be there.”

Still, Brook acknowledged that captaining England in an Ashes Test would be a “massive honour” if the situation arose. “But I’d much rather Stokesy played all five Test matches,” he added. “He’s such a vital part of our team, batting at number six and bowling the overs he does. For him to play all five Tests would be awesome for us.”

Changing of the Guard

Brook’s elevation to vice-captain brings an end to Ollie Pope’s spell as Stokes’ deputy — a position Pope had held since 2022. England director of cricket Rob Key said the decision was based on Brook’s emerging leadership qualities and his growing influence within the dressing room.

Brook, for his part, handled the transition with humility. “I kind of had an instinct that the change was coming before it was made official,” he admitted. “I’ve spoken with Ollie — sent him a few messages recently, mainly talking about golf, to be honest. He’s not too bothered. He’s just happy to still be in the squad.”

Brook praised Pope’s contributions, emphasizing his importance at No. 3 in the batting order. “He’s a vital part of the team, and we all know how valuable his runs are,” he said.

A Battle of Fitness and Fortitude

As both teams prepare for what promises to be another fiery Ashes series, the early narrative may revolve as much around fitness as form. With Cummins racing against the clock and Stokes managing his shoulder, the first Test in Perth could be shaped by which side’s leaders recover in time.

For Brook and England, however, the message is clear: focus on their own game. “We can’t control who plays for them,” he said. “We can only control how we prepare and perform. But if he’s [Cummins] not there, that definitely helps our chances.”

The Ashes begin on November 21 in Perth, with the second Test scheduled for Adelaide and subsequent matches in Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane.

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