Cummins, who was previously optimistic of taking part in a significant chunk of the series, appears to have no chance of playing the series opener in Perth from November 21 and could even miss all five Tests, leaving superstar batter Steve Smith as his stand-in captain.
'We thought he'd play a huge part in the series. But really feel for him that he won't get that opportunity.'
Only three England captains have secured the urn in Australia in the last 50 years, with Andrew Strauss the last in 2010/11.
It was a wild ride while it lasted but the 'Bazball' revolution that enlivened English cricket for three years collapsed in 11 days on Australian soil in an Ashes defeat as harrowing as any in the modern era.
Starc reached his second fifty of the series in 73 balls, striking eight fours, before England finally struck back. Archer ended Lyon's resistance, trapping him plumb in front for 9, and Australia were soon bowled out for 371 in 91.2 overs.
'But I think that the manner in which they play is part of the reason why I think they've got their best chance in 15 years of regaining the Ashes Down Under, because in 2010-11 when we went down there and won, we pushed back against Australia.'
Josh Hazlewood is still awaiting medical clearance for IPL 2026 after hamstring and Achilles injuries, leaving Royal Challengers Bengaluru uncertain about the availability of their leading pacer.
England 'quietly confident' heading into Ashes series, says Wood
Joe Root and Harry Brook hit half-centuries to put England in control before bad light ended play early on the opening day of the fifth Ashes Test.
Mitchell Starc joins Delhi Capitals and is set to return from May 1 in IPL 2026, with Axar Patel confirming availability as DC eye a boost in the tournament's crucial phase.
Cameron Green and Alex Carey guided Australia to an emphatic five-wicket victory against England, to claim the series 4-1, on Day 5 of the fifth Ashes Test on Thursday.
Australia's Travis Head finished as the leading scorer of the Ashes series with 629 runs from five Tests, including three centuries.
He has since returned for key assignments, including the 2022 T20 World Cup victory and both the Ashes and ODI World Cup campaigns in 2023.
'I think it's a huge credit to (head coach) Andrew McDonald, the coaching staff and the medical staff that we feel like we've got a big squad that we can draw on.'
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting tips confident England to pose real Ashes threat.
Cummins is also unlikely to feature in the first Ashes Test, starting November 21 in Perth, and in that scenario former skipper Smith will captain Australia.
McDonald also said the selectors would consider a Test recall for Mitch Marsh, even if Australia's white-ball captain said last week he would be watching the Ashes series beer in hand.
Mitchell Starc dismissed Riyan Parag, Donovan Ferreira and Ravi Singh in the space of four deliveries before removing Dasun Shanaka to trigger a stunning middle-order collapse and restrict Rajasthan Royals to 193 for 8.
'We've just got to stand up in them certain situations, read the game slightly better (and) just have a little bit of grit and determination about you.'
The contest between England's dialled-down "Bazball" approach and Australia's more methodical batting could determine who prevails in the Ashes series beginning in Perth on Friday.
Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has criticised the idea of creating two separate T20I teams for Team India, advocating for 'A' team tours to provide players with more exposure instead.
While ever more hostage to Twenty20's global carve-up, cricket will take a breath from next week to indulge its most time-honoured rivalry as Australia and England battle in the Ashes.
Cameron Green has also been in focus during his stint with IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders, with Cricket Australia managing his workload due to a lower back injury.
Australia's Travis Head says he is prepared to open the batting once more against England during the ongoing Ashes series after his second innings display in the first Test in Perth last week led the home side to an eight-wicket victory over the tourists.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has urged Australia's Usman Khawaja to retire on his own terms
Chasing a world record 435 runs to win, England were reduced to 207 for six at stumps on Day 4 of the third Test, still 228 runs short of victory
'My body feels great right now, I am very confident of getting through all five (Tests) without any dramas.'
Steve Smith cut a relaxed figure when he named the Australia team for the opening clash in his ninth and possibly final Ashes series on Thursday.
South African spinner Keshav Maharaj has been signed by Mumbai Indians as a replacement for New Zealand's Mitchell Santner, who sustained a shoulder injury during a match against Chennai Super Kings.
Australia paceman Mitchell Starc has warned against flattening surfaces to maximise five-day revenue as England's aggressive "Bazball" approach looms.
Australia's batting great Greg Chappell expressed concerns about the batting form of all-rounder Cameron Green, ahead of the IPL 2026 season.
'They're all going to score because they are naturally gifted players but the real high-risk way of playing, I'm afraid it hasn't worked.'
Usman Khawaja picked as Australia announce squad for Sydney Test against England
England have not won an Ashes Test match in Australia for nearly 15 years but their batting firepower could prove decisive in the series starting in Perth next month, according to former captain Alastair Cook.
Root spoke of his pride in his team after they won the final Test against Australia by 135 runs on Sunday to draw the Ashes series 2-2.
Mitchell Starc has been cleared to play in the Indian Premier League and is expected to join Delhi Capitals for their match against Rajasthan Royals on May 1.
Marnus Labuschagne, who was dropped from the Test side during the tour of West Indies in June-July, has since hit three centuries in one-dayers and a couple more in Sheffield Shield for Queensland.
Captain Ben Stokes brushed off concerns about England's Ashes preparations on Wednesday, saying there was no way the squad could prepare in the same way touring teams of the past had, given the demands of the modern game.
Kevin Pietersen has encouraged England batter Jacob Bethell to remain in India and continue his IPL journey, countering Alastair Cook's suggestion that he should return to county cricket.
Batters Jamie Smith and Jordan Cox have been axed while seamer Saqib Mahmood could not retain his place either.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances