Australia’s cricket team has confirmed that their star captain and fast bowler, Pat Cummins, will miss the opening Ashes Test due to a persistent back injury. Steve Smith, a seasoned leader and one of the game’s most prolific batsmen, will step in to captain the side in Cummins’ absence. The first Test is scheduled to begin on November 21 in Perth, but Cummins, who has not bowled since July, is yet to resume full training. Cricket Australia announced on Sunday that the 32-year-old is expected to return to bowling soon, with hopes of being fit for the second Test in Brisbane starting December 4. Cummins’ absence is a significant setback for Australia, given his dual role as captain and premier bowler. Reports of his fitness concerns first emerged in September, leading to his withdrawal from the white-ball series against New Zealand and India due to a lumbar stress fracture. Cummins himself acknowledged the tight timeline for recovery, stating he needed at least a month of net practice to regain match fitness. Smith, who previously led Australia to Ashes glory, is a capable replacement. The 36-year-old has captained the team six times in Cummins’ absence and remains a key figure in the squad. In Cummins’ absence, Scott Boland is likely to join Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in the pace attack. The series, comprising five Tests in just over seven weeks, will test Australia’s depth, with potential call-ups for less experienced players like Michael Neser, Brendan Doggett, or Fergus O’Neill.