The Ashes 2025: Australia captain Pat Cummins ruled out of first Test

The question of what involvement Cummins might have and could be used by Australia’s bowlers raises the suspicion that bowling pace will be a deciding factor on the eventual Ashes winners.

England have included a number of fast bowlers in their squad; This was probably the most hostile group they had sent since 1970.

There are questions regarding some members of the attack. Mark Wood has not played a Test since August last year, Jofra Archer has a long injury history and Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue were all laid off last year.

England’s Ashes squad is slowly recovering, with many losing out to New Zealand in Sunday’s opener international.

Others, such as Wood and Tongue, are not part of the New Zealand series but are in the country as part of their preparations.

Captain Ben Stokes is one of the next members to make the trip after spending time with the England rugby league team ahead of their first Ashes Test against Australia on Saturday.

Stokes has not played since July due to a shoulder injury but is thought to be available for the first Ashes Test. England will play their only warm-up match against the England Lions team in Perth on 13 November.

All-rounder Stokes has not played a full part in any of England’s last four Test series due to various injuries.

It is possible that the Ashes will ultimately decide which captain, Cummins and Stokes, can spend more time on the field.