Cummins, boasting 250 Test wickets at an average of 22.50 and a captaincy ledger of 12 wins in 20 matches, has been instrumental in Australia’s 2023 World Test Championship victory and the 2023 Ashes retention. His injury, a recurrence of the hamstring issue that sidelined him for two Tests against New Zealand in 2024, stems from the explosive torque of his high-velocity action—averaging 142 km/h—and a workload surpassing 1,200 overs across formats in 2025. CA selector George Bailey,