Pat Cummins is reportedly nursing a back issue that could force Cricket Australia to manage the Test captain’s workloads ahead of the blockbuster Ashes series.

According to CODE Sports, the 32-year-old underwent scans on Monday that revealed evidence of a back issue, putting him under an injury cloud. Meanwhile, the Sydney Morning Herald reports that Cummins has been complaining of back soreness since the recent Test tour of the West Indies.

However, CA reportedly remains optimistic that he will be fit for the first Ashes Test against England in late November.

Pending the severity of Cummins’ back issue, which is yet to be determined, he may be required to skip Australia’s upcoming white-ball series against India and avoid Sheffield Shield matches for New South Wales. CA may also be forced to manage his workload during the Ashes, opening the door for Steve Smith to lead Australia at some stage during the marquee series.

Meanwhile, Cummins’ setback will heap further pressure on fellow quicks Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland to stay for the entire Test summer.

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Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland with the Frank Worrell Trophy. Picture – SuppliedSource: Supplied

Last season, Cummins played all five Tests of the triumphant Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India before missing Australia’s Test tour of Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy campaign in Pakistan due to an ankle injury.

The right-armed quick returned for June’s World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s and played all three matches of Australia’s Frank Worrell Trophy whitewash of the West Indies in the Caribbean.

Fringe speedsters Lance Morris and Spencer Johnson are currently out of action due to injury, while Western Australia’s Jhye Richardson is expected to miss the start of the summer.

Australia’s mounting injury concerns open the door for the likes of Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett and Brendan Doggett to make their Test debut during the Ashes, while Michael Neser could also come into contention should the hosts need reinforcements.

The first Ashes Test between Australia and England gets underway at Perth Stadium on November 21.