Australia have faced a massive challenge ahead of the home white-ball series against India at home and the following Ashes 2025/26 as their red-ball captain, Pat Cummins, has been ruled out of the white-ball series and is expected to be under the scanner for the England series after a scan revealed lumbar bone stress in his lower back. 

That means Cummins won’t play any cricket for Australia ahead of the Ashes, which start on November 21 in Perth. His bowling workloads are considered significant as he missed the five T20Is against West Indies and both white-ball series against the Proteas. Meanwhile, he has been cleared of any fracture in his lower spine.

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The New South Wales-pacer was out of the red-ball series due to stress fracture across the first six years of his international career and didn’t feature in a Test match between his debut in 2011 and his second Test in India in 2017. Since that time, he has faced various issues, including the hamstring issue and ankle injury.

Australia sweats over Pat Cummins’ injury status ahead of home Ashes 2025/26

In each of the three calendar years, Cummins had bowled 400-plus overs in cricket but had bowled only 175.1 overs in the nine months of 2025, with 95.1 overs coming across the four Tests in June and July against South Africa in June during the WTC final and the away West Indies series in the Caribbean. Even with a possible Shield game and the four Ashes, he isn’t expected to complete 400 overs by the end of this year.

“Cummins was rested from the recent T20 series against the West Indies and South Africa. Despite this planned de-load period, Cummins has experienced some ongoing lower back pain following the West Indies Test tour.” The Cricket Australia statement expressed.

“Further investigation has identified a level of lumbar bone stress that will require further management over the coming months. Cummins won't be considered for the upcoming limited-overs series against India and will continue his rehabilitation plan with a return to bowling to be determined as part of his Ashes preparation.” The statement added.

Former Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara shared the names of the four toughest bowlers he faced in his career after announcing his retirement from international cricket.

In a post-retirement interview with Indian media, the 37-year-old named two South African pacers, one from England, and one from Australia. He said Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel from South Africa, James Anderson from England, and Pat Cummins from Australia were the most difficult bowlers for him.

Pujara’s record against South Africa in Tests was not strong. He scored at an average of 30.41 in 17 matches with only one century. His numbers were worse in South Africa, where he averaged just 28.15 in 19 innings.

Also Read -Cheteshwar Pujara vs Sourav Ganguly – Statistical Comparison After 103 Test Matches

Pujara’s Struggles Against Top Bowlers

The numbers show how much Pujara struggled against them. Against Dale Steyn, he averaged only 30, while his average fell further to 18 against Morne Morkel. Together, the South African duo dismissed him six times.

Against James Anderson, Pujara averaged just 21.80 in Tests and was out to the English pacer 12 times. Pat Cummins also troubled him, dismissing him eight times while Pujara averaged 22.50 against him.

Pujara announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket on Sunday. He played 103 Tests and five ODIs after making his debut in 2010. He scored 7,195 Test runs at an average of 43.60, including 19 centuries and 35 fifties. At home, he averaged 52.58 with 3,839 runs. His last Test was the WTC final against Australia at The Oval in June 2023.

He is also one of only three Indian players, alongside ML Jaisimha and Ravi Shastri, to bat on all five days of a Test match. Interestingly, Pujara did not include Jasprit Bumrah among the toughest bowlers, as he faced him only once in IPL 2024 and scored four runs off five balls.

Former Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara picked the four toughest bowlers he faced during his career, via TOI. pic.twitter.com/uR9LB6mk9J

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) August 25, 2025

Pujara’s Five Best Knocks

Pujara also picked his five favourite Test innings. His first choice was 145* in Sri Lanka in 2015, a comeback innings that helped India win the series 2-1. His second was 123 against Australia in Adelaide in the 2018/19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where India went on to win the series 2-1.

His next two picks were double centuries against England and Australia at home in the 2012/13 season, both in winning causes. His final choice was the fighting 92 against Australia in Bengaluru in 2017, which helped India level the series 1-1.

Pujara ended his career with 7,195 Test runs at an average of 43.60, including 19 centuries, in 103 matches.

Australia has begun the new cycle for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) in a brilliant fashion, securing a 2-0 series lead over the West Indies, having won the first two tests comfortably. Now, the visitors will be looking for a clean sweep as they prepare for the third and final test. Set to be played at the historical Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, between July 12 and 16, this match carries added significance: this will be Australia's first-ever pink-ball Test outside of their home country.

Despite being unfamiliar with overseas day-night Tests, Australia goes into the game with the most international experience in pink-ball conditions, having featured in 11 encounters previously. Their success rate under lights, especially with a bowling unit that does so well in seaming conditions, provides them with a decisive advantage going into this historic clash. Meanwhile, The West Indies have been competitive with the ball but still struggled with the bat. Their top-order collapses have made it nearly impossible to mount any serious challenge to Australia’s dominance in the series.

With the momentum clearly in their favor and a 2-0 lead already secured, Australia is expected to make minimal changes to their lineup. However, the major talking point remains the selection call between veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon and seamer Scott Boland. Given the conditions and the pink ball’s tendency to aid seam movement under lights, there’s a strong chance Australia might go with a four-pronged pace attack. Still, Lyon’s form—having claimed nine wickets in two Tests—makes his omission a tricky call.

See Also: WI vs AUS: Probable playing XI for West Indies ahead of 3rd Test at Sabina Park

Australia’s Probable Playing XI for 3rd Test vs West Indies

• Usman Khawaja
  
• Sam Konstas
  
• Cameron Green
  
• Steve Smith
  
• Travis Head
  
• Beau Webster
  
• Alex Carey (wk)
  
• Mitchell Starc
  
• Pat Cummins (c)
  
• Nathan Lyon/Scott Boland
  
• Josh Hazlewood
  

With a 2-0 series lead in hand, Australia is firmly placed to complete a 3-0 whitewash and wrap up their Caribbean tour on a high. For the West Indies, it’s one final opportunity to restore pride and offer resistance on home soil.

Australia captain Pat Cummins took a cheeky dig at the flat pitches being used in the ongoing India vs. England Test series. In the first two games of the five-match series, only one team has been bowled out for under 300, with batters largely dominating proceedings. In contrast, Australia's tour of the Caribbean has been a bowler’s paradise, with fiery pitches offering plenty of assistance. Australia bowled out West Indies for just 143 in Grenada to seal a 2-0 series win, with only one total above 300 across the series.

Cummins, speaking after the 133-run victory in Grenada, admitted he hadn't been watching much of the India-England series but didn't hold back in his assessment. "I wasn't (watching India vs. England); probably Marnus (Labuschagne) was, we'll keep an eye on it. Who'd want to be a bowler over there?" Cummins said, poking fun at the lifeless surfaces. "Looking at Test cricket this week over here compared to that, it looks like two different sports. It looks like it is going to be a good series, 1-1 now."

The Edgbaston pitch, in particular, has come under scrutiny. It was even labelled a "subcontinent pitch" by England skipper Ben Stokes after his side lost seven wickets on the final day to allow India to level the series. The flat nature of the surface has made life difficult for the bowlers, drawing criticism from several quarters.

Shubman Gill Wants Better Balance Between Bat and Ball

India’s captain Shubman Gill also expressed his frustration over the lack of support for bowlers. Speaking at the post-match presentation, Gill pointed out how hard his bowlers had to work just to get any help from the surface. “It gets very difficult for the bowlers. Even more than the wicket, the ball is going soft and out of shape very quickly. I don't know what it is—weather, wickets, or whatever—but it gets very difficult for the bowlers to get wickets in these conditions,” he said.

See Also: 'India Are Not Afraid Of Bazball' - Former England spinner bold take after ENG vs IND Edgbaston Test

He further added, “I think there should be a little help at least. If the ball is doing something, you enjoy playing. If you know there are only 20 overs of any help and then you have to spend the rest of the day on the defensive, thinking how to stop runs, then the game loses its essence.” With the ENG vs. IND series now level at 1-1, the all-important third Test will be played at Lord’s from Thursday, July 10.

West Indies head coach Daren Sammy was caught in the eye of storm when he reportedly picked up a fight with the match referee Javagal Srinath during the first Test at Bridegtown, Barbados. Sammy was unhappy with the umpiring standards and voiced his frustration, urging the TV umpire to be more consistent with his decision making. 

Controversy erupted when Head was demmed not out by the TV umpire Adrian Holdstock even when it appeared that the ball had clearly settled into the keeper's gloves. A similar contentious caught behind incident surfaced later on  in the West Indian innings. This time around, much to everyone's surprise, the decision went in the home side's favor even when subsequent replays clearly indicated that the ball hadn't carried cleanly into the keeper's gloves. 

Sammy was furious with the events that unfolded and expressed his anguish to Srinath, questioning Holdstock's decision-making work. Following the end of the Test, Sammy was reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for showing dissent and earned a 15% fine on his fees along with one demerit point.

See also: WI vs AUS 1st Test: Key moments and Full match highlights

'I hold no grudges', Sammy opens up following the end of the controversial Test

As the dust settles on the first Test, Sammy has made it clear that he holds no grudges against the match officials. The fact that the match officials department have confessed their errors puts him at ease. Despite being displeased with Holdstock's work in the first Test, Sammy wishes him all the best for his upcoming game and expresses his desire to move on. 

"I don't hold grudges. I said what I said, based on what I saw. I've been punished for it. I wish Adrian all the best, to be honest. I mean, we're all human. I have nothing against the umpires. I really wish he has an awesome game."

While the West Indies were caught on the wrong side of the technology, the Australian team has steered clear from the controversy so far. However, Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey made a startling revelation about the diving catch he took to get rid of Shai Hope. Although Carey was convinced that he took a full-diving catch cleanly, replays seemed to have suggested otherwise. But as fate would have it, Carey emerged on the right side and Australia were able to miraculously manufacture a wicket out of it.  

Pat Cummins Equals Ben Stokes’ Captaincy Record After Beating West Indies

Australia began their World Test Championship campaign with a strong win against the West Indies in the first Test on Saturday. The match had many twists, but in the end, Australia came out on top. The West Indies were chasing 301 runs but kept losing wickets quickly and were bowled out for just 141, losing the match from a good position.

Josh Hazlewood was the star with the ball, and he bowled economically in that match. He bowled a brilliant spell, taking 5 wickets for just 43 runs in 12 overs. His performance helped Australia win the match easily.

Cummins Joins Stokes in Captaincy Milestone

With this win, Pat Cummins now has 21 wins as a Test captain, the same number as England’s Ben Stokes. Stokes reached the mark in 34 matches, while Cummins took 35. Their win rates are also very close: Stokes has 61%, and Cummins has 60%.

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Cummins’ Journey as Captain

Cummins became Australia’s Test captain in 2021. Since then, he has led the team to many big wins. He helped Australia win the Ashes at home and also led them to a famous series win in Pakistan.

One of his most significant moments came in 2023 when Australia defeated India in the World Test Championship Final under his captaincy. He also took the team to another WTC final, but they lost, and they fought till the end, where they lost to South Africa. Pat Cummins has done a great job as captain and continues to lead the team with confidence.

WI vs AUS 1st Day 2, Stumps:

• Australia- 180/10 and 92/4 (Second Innings, 33 Overs)
• West Indies- 190/10

The wicket in Kensington Oval, Barbados, is still alive. After a total of 14 wickets on the first day of the match, Day 2 witnessed another 10 wickets fall. The pacers of the West Indies and Australia are in competition to take as many wickets as possible. The West Indies came into the field with 6 wickets in hand and 57 runs on the scoreboard. Australia finished their business in the first innings for only 180, with the help of Travis Head's 59 and Usman Khawaja's 47. For the West Indies, their skipper Roston Chase (44) and Shai Hope (48) performed best from their side. Some of the most eye-soothing shots came from Hope's bat. 

Australia skipper Pat Cummins gave his team one of the important breakthroughs of the innings in Roston Chase. Cummins took the wicket of his counterpart through a leg before the wicket. Alzarri Joseph in the lower order came and played a quick 23-run innings to boost up his team's total. West Indies was able to reach 190 in the first innings in reply to Australia's 180. The pacers of Australia did their job precisely. Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Beau Webster took a brace each, and Mitchell Starc claimed 3 scalps. 

Before the end of Day 2, Australia found themselves again in trouble as they lost all of their top four batters before reaching the three-digit score. Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph, Alzarri Joseph, and Justin Greaves all bagged one wicket each to restrict the visitors to 92 at the end of the day. 

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Key factors of Day 2: 

• Wickets of Roston Chase and Shai Hope.
• Australia has lost 4 wickets already. 

WI vs AUS, Test 1, Day 2 Scoreboard in brief:

West Indies- 190/10 (First Innings)

Australia- 92/4 (Second Innings, 33 Overs)

Following their humiliating surrender against the Proteas in the World Test Championship Final 2025, Australia have stooped to another low in Test cricket. The all-time world champions have made a far from ideal start in their ongoing WTC 2025-27 cycle. Their Test tour to the Caribbean has not unfolded the way they would have ideally hoped on day one. 

For the first time in 30 years, Australia have registered their lowest-ever first innings Test score against the West Indies. The Aussies were skittled for a meager 180. Travis Head was the sole batter to register a half century (59 off 78) while Khawaja (47 off 128), Webster (11 off 24), and skipper Pat Cummins (28 off 18) were the other three batters to make it into double figures. 

A team that has only managed two test wins against them in the past two decades, this unwanted record will go down as one of the worst records in their Test history and is bound to ruffle some feathers. On a lively Barbados pitch, the WI quicks featuring Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales made life very difficult for the Aussies batters. Shamar wreaked havoc early doors to send Konstas, Green, and Khawaja packing. Shamar finished with four wickets to his name, but Seales outperformed him by picking up a five-fer as Australia folded prematurely inside the third session.  

See also: West Indies v Australia, First Test: All you need to know

Australia record their lowest-ever first innings total against the Windies in three decades

AUSTRALIA REGISTERED THEIR LOWEST EVER 1ST INNINGS TOTAL VS WEST INDIES IN THE LAST 30 YEARS. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/xZXtzRXqAR

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 25, 2025

Prior to enduring a horror show with the bat on the opening day of the Test, Australia's previous record of the lowest first innings test score was 216 from 1995. But the 30-year-long record has now been eclipsed after the West Indies managed to floor them for a meager 180 yesterday. 

It is worth mentioning that the Australian team has previously been bundled out below the 200-run mark on as many as 11 occasions since 1951. Their lowest-ever first innings score against West Indies came during the 1951 home Test series in Adelaide when the Aussies were skittled for just 82. Quite understandably, Australia had no chance of making a comeback on the back of such a paltry score and lost the game by six wickets. 

However, speaking of the current state of the Barbados Test, Australia still have an outside chance of securing a win as they managed to launch late strikes on the WI batters yesterday to have them reeling at 57-4 by the call of stumps.

South Africa are edging closer to creating history in the ongoing World Test Championship Final 2025 (WTC). With only 69 runs remaining in the bank and eight wickets to go, South Africa emerge as the strong favorites to clinch their maiden ICC title since 1998. A fighting partnership between Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma has turned the tables on Australia, putting the Southern African nation on the cusp of a historic cricketing moment. 

South Africa's resounding progress in the WTC final match has left many Australian cricket experts alarmed. Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden went hard on Pat Cummins, calling him out for being way too defensive in his approach. After concluding their second innings on a high, Australia had mounted a reasonable target of 281 on the board. Much to their delight, the Aussie quicks, including Mitch Starc, made an ideal start by removing Rickelton and Mulder in quick succession to give Australia a definite advantage. 

But all that advantage was lost in an instant once they were met with fierce resistance from Bavuma and Markram. Australia had South Africa reeling but failed to make further breakthroughs, allowing them to conclude day three on a high with all eight wickets intact.

See also: Top 5 wicket takers for South Africa in Test cricket ft Kagiso Rabada

Haydos blasts the Australian skipper to let South Africa off the hook

As quoted by Hindustan Times, Hayden slammed Cummins for being too defensive against Bavuma, who had just walked out to bat after Mulder's dismissal. After bundling them out cheaply for 138 in the first innings, Cummins was expected to adopt a very aggressive approach. But the absence of his aggressive approach baffled the Aussie great. 

He further highlighted the lack of protection in the catching cover regions and stressed that the field placement should have been more attacking, which would have helped them cut down unnecessary singles.

“You know, this defensive effort here from Australia, it was all about how they were going to take wickets and how they were going to do that early. You know, when they got through to Mulder, they got through Rickelton, and they had to put at that point pressure on Bavuma. They had to put those catching cover areas, had to be less defensive, more attacking. Can you imagine if those first couple of balls had been chipped up? South Africa now it's three down. Australia got control of the match. So for me, that was a trick," 

The 2023 defending champions are on the verge of a catastrophic defeat in the WTC summit clash. Although the job is yet to be fully finished, and given South Africa's all-time reputation of "chokers", we cannot say for sure whether they are out of the woods. The Aussies, who have proven their tactical brilliance in the knockout matches time and again, can't be taken lightly as they will look to leave no stone unturned to retain their crown at all costs. 

Cricket being the most viewed sport across the world, it pays the best cricketers in the world handsome amounts of money in the form of match fees, endorsements, and league contracts. International cricket boards and the Indian Premier League contribute significantly to the income. Let us have a glance at the world's top 10 highest-paid cricketers until May 2025 based on their total earnings from cricket and endorsements.

1. Virat Kohli (India)

Virat Kohli remains the highest-paid cricketer in the world, bringing in approximately $36.2 million a year. He is an A+ player in the eyes of the BCCI and is very well paid for his cricket-playing ability. To add to this, he has two lucrative IPL contracts and many endorsement deals. Kohli retired from Test cricket in May 2025, leaving him focused on ODIs and the IPL, which still pays a lot of money. In case anyone forgot just how rich Kohli is, he is currently engaged to Bollywood superstar actress Anushka Sharma.

2. MS Dhoni (India)

MS Dhoni may have retired from international cricket, but he is still earning around $30 million each year in IPL and endorsements. As the captain of Chennai Super Kings, Dhoni has important brand value and endorsements, which keep him in the highest tier of earners. It's Dhoni’s intelligence and strategy for the game, especially on how to plan for life after cricket, that continue to earn him significant money.

3. Kane Williamson (New Zealand)

Kane Williamson earns an estimated $28 million annually, with a major portion of his income came from his IPL stint with the Gujarat Titans and consistent earnings from international matches. Known for his calm demeanor and dependable performances across formats, Williamson has become a highly respected figure in the cricketing world. His composed leadership style and consistency make him a fan favorite and a top choice for various brands. Endorsements and sponsorships further boost his income, as companies are drawn to his trustworthy image and widespread appeal. Williamson’s steady presence both on and off the field cements his financial success.

See Also: Top 10 records held by Virat Kohli in Test cricket

4. Pat Cummins (Australia)

Pat Cummins makes around $26 million a year, courtesy of his IPL deal with Sunrisers Hyderabad and payments from the Australian Cricket Board. His leadership and bowling skills in Tests and ODIs contribute to his worth. Cummins' recent WTC final preparation is an indicator of his significance to cricket.

5. Joe Root (England)

Joe Root's income amounts to $24 million, backed by his England contract and IPL contracts. His record-breaking Test runs and sponsorships keep him in a strong financial position. Root's inclusion in the 2025 IPL season with Rajasthan Royals contributes to his income.

6. Ben Stokes (England)

Ben Stokes makes approximately $22 million with his all-around abilities and IPL deals. His leadership in Tests and exciting play in limited-overs cricket add to his marketability. Stokes' participation in the 2025 IPL with Punjab Kings is a major revenue stream.

7. Rohit Sharma (India)

Rohit Sharma’s annual income is approximately $20 million, driven by his Mumbai Indians captaincy and BCCI payments. His T20 World Cup success and endorsements boost his earnings. Sharma’s focus on white-ball cricket post-Kohli’s Test retirement keeps him relevant.

8. David Warner (Australia)

David Warner makes around $18 million, with much of it coming from the IPL and international cricket. His attacking batting and popularity in T20 leagues are money-making factors. Warner's announcement of retirement from international cricket in 2024 has not affected his IPL income.

9. Steve Smith (Australia)

Steve Smith, one of the most accomplished cricketers in the modern era, has an estimated income of around \$17 million. This impressive financial standing is largely driven by his stellar performances in Test cricket and the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he has consistently showcased his world-class skills. Known for his unorthodox yet highly effective batting technique, Smith has been a cornerstone of Australia's success in the longest format of the game. His reliability and ability to perform under pressure make him a valuable asset both on and off the field. 

10. Jasprit Bumrah (India)

Jasprit Bumrah makes about $16 million, courtesy of his Mumbai Indians IPL contract and BCCI match payments. He is among the highest-paid by virtue of his status as one of the premier fast bowlers and endorsers. Bumrah's ability to perform across all formats secures him among the highest-earning.