Australia skipper Cummins to do 'whatever it takes' to play Ashes

Pat Cummins says he will do whatever it takes to play the Ashes against England starting in November, with the Australian skipper prepared to "take a few risks" with a back injury that has sidelined him.

The 32-year-old pace spearhead has been ruled out of upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand and India with "lumbar bone stress", casting a shadow over Australia's Ashes preparations.

He has not bowled since their Test tour of the West Indies in June-July, restricted to just light gym duties with no date set for a return.

The first Ashes Test starts in 12 weeks in Perth and Cummins told cricket.com.au he was "willing to take a few risks" to fast-track his recovery.

"I'm never going to go into a Test match unless you think you can finish the Test match," he said.

"But when you're 18 or 19, you're like, 'Let's make sure this is the perfect rehab, whether it takes an extra six months'.

"Whereas I'm happy to be a bit like, 'Well, it's an Ashes series, whatever it takes to play it'.

"Then, say, at the end, if you're still not 100 percent and you need to then have a bit of a break next year, there's not another Ashes series."

Whether he fronts up in Perth remains to be seen with medical staff set to "reassess" him in a month's time. It will also depend on how fellow quicks Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland are faring.

Cummins has suffered serious back issues several times over the years, including a flare-up in 2018 that kept him out action for a full off-season.

But he has missed just one Test through injury since taking over as Test captain four years ago and said the current problem felt "worlds away" from his previous troubles.

"I've bowled a lot over the last few years, so something was bound to happen at some point. But hopefully I get this right and don't miss too much cricket," he said.

Australia retained the Ashes in England in 2023, after the series ended in a 2-2 draw.

They also enjoyed a 4-0 sweep of England at home in 2021-22. Cummins was the leading wicket-taker with 21 scalps at an average of 18.

The first Test starts on November 21.

Labuschagne in Ashes bid

Marnus Labuschagne has gone "back to the drawing board" in a bid to regain his Australia spot for the Ashes, boosted by knowing he was once the top batsman in the world.

The long-time number three in Australia's batting order was dropped from the Test tour of the West Indies in June-July after a sustained lean spell.

The 58-Test veteran, known for endlessly tinkering with his technique, said it had been an opportunity to "step back mentally" and reassess his approach.

"There's an analogy -– you can try and bash yourself through the wall or you can just open the door and walk in," he told cricket.com.au. "(That means) train smarter.

"My technique over time hasn't been where I wanted it to be and probably there's been a little bit too much time and focus going into trying to get that right, rather than just playing with what I've got.

"But it's been a nice time to reset, be able to recalibrate and go, 'Okay I missed that West Indies series, how am I going to get myself ready to play the Ashes?'"

Labuschagne was moved from his regular spot at three to open in the World Test Championship final against South Africa in June, where he scored 17 and 22 in defeat.

But with his replacement, teenager Sam Konstas, struggling at the top of the order, he could be an option to open again alongside Usman Khawaja in the first Test against England on November 21 in Perth.

The 31-year-old could also start at three if all-rounder Cameron Green moves down the order.

Labuschagne has had several stints at the top of the ICC batting rankings and said it was comforting knowing he was once the world's best.

"The benefit is you know you've done it before, right?," he said.

"Two years ago I was one of the best batters in the world. You know that it's there and you know you've just got to go back to the (drawing) board and find that consistency, that mental clarity, to go out there and perform."