Pat Cummins ruled out of first Ashes Test, Smith to lead

Australia’s captain Pat Cummins has been officially ruled out of the first Ashes Test due to his back stress injury, with Steve Smith to lead the side in Perth.

Cummins has resumed running but is yet to return to the bowling crease after pulling up sore on the Test tour of the Caribbean in July.

Pat Cummins is out of the first Ashes Test.Credit: ICC via Getty Images

Head coach Andrew McDonald will address Cummins’ fitness status in Canberra later today.

“Cummins has resumed running and expects to return to bowling shortly,” a Cricket Australia spokesperson said.

More to come

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