Cummins is aiming to be back for Ashes

AUSTRALIA captain Pat Cummins has been diagnosed with a back problem, with less than three months to go before this winter's Ashes series.

- By PHIL BLANCHE

The 32-year-old has lumbar bone stress in his lower back - a typical fast bowler's reaction to a high workload.

But Cricket Australia is confident Cummins will be fit for the first Test against England, which starts in Perth on November 21, even if he has had four months of inactivity before the series begins.

Quoted on cricket.com.au, Australia chairman of selectors George Bailey told reporters that team officials had a 'full expectation that Pat will be right to go come that first Test'.

Bailey continued: "He's certainly one that has entered summers at different stages without a great amount of match balls at different times.