Harry Brook warns Australia of Pat Cummins’ absence in the Ashes, still haunted by India’s Test draw

Newly appointed vice-captain of the England national cricket team Harry Brock He shared his views on Australia national cricket team captain Pat Cummins who is said to have missed the first Ashes Test of 2025-26.

Harry Brook said Pat Cummins had been a great player for a very long time and he was hopeful that in his absence he would be at the hands of the English side Down Under.

Harry Brock wants to bring home the urn of ashes

Ben StokesEngland-led England will be in Australia in November, December and January for the Ashes ceremony series. The first Test will be played at Optus Stadium in Perth from November 21-25, followed by the second Test at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 4-8.

The third Test will then be played at Adelaide Oval from December 17-21, and the fourth Test will be hosted at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from December 26-30. The final series will be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from 4 to 8 January 2026.

England were very poor in Australia, but will be hoping to do better this time. Their chances of doing well have been boosted by reports that Pat Cummins is suffering from an injury and may miss the series opener.

Speaking about this, Brook said the absence of Pat Cummins is a good thing news For England, but the other Australian bowlers cannot be underestimated.

“He’s a great bowler and has been for many years,” Brook said at Thursday night’s PCA Awards, in partnership with Toyota, as reported by ESPNCricinfo. “He’s bowling with great speed, with great skill. With him being out of their side in the first game, from what we’ve seen, hopefully it’s in our hands… (but) we can’t underestimate anyone.”

“I don’t know what I’m getting myself into. I know it’s a huge thing, but I’m still trying to get through that Indian series. It was great to be a part of it: playing 25 days out of 25 was huge. That was the most intense series I’ve ever been involved in. If the Ashes gets past that, I’ll be a very happy man.”

I didn’t have much experience on the courts there – Harry Brock

Harry Brook has never played a Test match on Australian soil and the upcoming tour is likely to pose a major challenge. Overall, he played only BBL in Australia as a 22-year-old and scored 56 runs in five innings.

Meanwhile, Brook also admitted that he does not have much knowledge about Australian conditions and added that he will go there with a clear mind. Harry Brock stated:

“It’s obviously intense. I can’t even remember much about the 2023 Ashes, if I’m honest. It’s a very similar group of players we’ll be facing: a very strong bowling attack and on home soil they’ll present different challenges. I haven’t had a lot of experience on the pitches there, so I’ll have to stay in the moment as much as possible and play what’s in front of me.”

“I see white ball and red ball as two completely different sports, to be honest. I’ll go there with a clear mind.”

I want to be the winner of the match – Harry Brock

Harry Brook, who recently won Player of the Series for England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, said he wants to become a proper match-winner. He said:

“It’s not something I really think about. I want to be a match-winner. If the team is in a bit of trouble, I want to get us out of it, which I’ve done well so far in my career. If that’s getting 75 runs and getting us out of trouble for a little while and putting the team in a better position, then I’d rather get a hundred and lose the game.”

The young batsman also stated that he was honored to be named vice-captain of the Test and was hoping to see Ben Stokes play all five Ashes Tests. He said:

“I see Stuckey playing all five Tests, to be honest. I think he’ll be able to do it, even if he has a bit of niggles.”

Read also: CSK issues an official statement after the players’ release list was leaked ahead of the IPL auction