Should Australia risk Cummins for the Boxing Day Test?

Gerard Whateley and Simon Katich have both expressed the view that Pat Cummins will not be featuring in the Boxing Day Test to avoid further aggravation of his back injury.

The captain’s injury to his lower back has been a constant concern throughout the build-up and during the Ashes, as he would miss the first two Tests as a result.

But he proved fit enough to be able to play the Third Test in Adelaide, having taken three wickets in each innings to help Australia claim the series with an 82-run win.

In the minutes after the game, the fast bowler would speak to SEN Cricket, who asked about whether he would miss the next Test match at the MCG, with the New South Welshman initially saying that it would be determined in the coming days.

“We’ll sit down and have a chat about it in the next day or two,” Cummins told SEN Cricket.

“I think we always thought three (Tests) on the bounce would be tough, but we’re pretty open-minded to anything when the series was alive.

“So, now that we’ve won, we’ll sit back and work out what’s worth it.”

Following his interview with SEN, Whateley thought that it was clear that the captain would be unlikely to play in the Fourth Ashes Test.

“Pat Cummins is clearly not playing, just listening to him there, their plan with him is really clear,” he noted.

This would be a sentiment shared with Katich, believing that the selectors should take a long-term approach to avoid an increased risk of injury.

“It’s a quick turnaround,” he noted.

“So why would you risk him, given how valuable he is to Australian cricket across the variety of formats he plays and what’s coming up in the next 12 to 18 months.

“I think from a long-term perspective, I can see why they (the selectors) wouldn’t risk him, and also with this series, the way it has played out, this was a vital Test, he came in and got the job done, and if he has to be put on ice, then so be it.

“Because we’ve seen, there is other guys that are hungry and have come in and done a job, albeit in a different way to what Pat Cummins can do.

“They’re probably not going to be as dominant as someone like him, but you look at what Neser did at Brisbane, and he did a great job and got the job done when Cummins was out.

All will be revealed over the coming days with the Boxing Day Test (Fourth Ashes Test) just five days away.

SEN will have LIVE coverage of the Test match beginning from 7am AEDT on December 26 with The New Ball before transitioning into its game day coverage from the MCG.