England fans are quietly rubbing their hands together as their big chance might just have arrived. With Pat Cummins ruled out of the first Ashes Test in Perth, the hosts will have to make do without their regular skipper. In steps Steve Smith, the man many love to compare with Cummins, and suddenly the Pat Cummins vs Steve Smith debate is all over social media again. Could this be England’s window to sneak an early lead? Or will Smith’s calm head keep Australia steady as ever?

The Injury and the Stand-In Plan

So, what happened to Cummins then? The Australian captain has been battling a lumbar stress injury since July, the same one that forced him to sit out against the West Indies. He’s been easing back into training, bowling light spells in the nets, but Cricket Australia decided not to risk him for Perth. It’s a sensible call, better one Test off than a whole series down the drain.

Steve Smith is unbeaten when standing in for Pat Cummins, including one win in the 2021-22 Ashes 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/f9zqJXCCvt

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 27, 2025

In his absence, Steve Smith’s captaincy record will once again come under the spotlight. Smith has done the stand-in job before, and quite successfully at that. He’ll not only wear the captain’s armband but will also help guide the bowlers from the slips. As for the attack, Scott Boland is tipped to replace Cummins, the same Boland who ripped through England in Melbourne a few years ago, taking 6 for 7 in that unforgettable spell. Not a bad replacement, eh?

Related Article：Will Pat Cummins Play Ashes or Sit Out? Latest Injury Buzz from Camp

Pat Cummins vs Steve Smith — How Do They Stack Up?

Let’s settle this debate properly…numbers on the table. Here’s a quick look at Pat Cummins vs Steve Smith across both Test and Ashes records, and what Steve Smith’s captaincy record really looks like in comparison.

Tests as Captain

Looking at those figures, it’s easy to see why the Australian captain for Ashes conversation gets spicy. Cummins may have the better overall win percentage, but Steve Smith’s captaincy record in the Ashes is simply unmatched, unbeaten in six games as captain against England. He seems to bring out his best when the urn’s on the line. Cummins, on the other hand, has proven to be a more consistent, all-format leader. The Pat Cummins vs Steve Smith rivalry keeps giving us plenty to talk about.

Ashes as Captain

Why Smith Fits the Job?

So, can Smith fill Cummins’ shoes for now? Absolutely. He’s been there before, after all. Head coach Andrew McDonald said it best:

“Ideally we want the captain available for stability and decision-making but… Steve will slide into that position. We are incredibly fortunate to have such an experienced captain and Pat will be around the group as well.”

Even Smith himself kept things typically understated:

“I’ve stood in a few times for Cummins now and haven’t lost a game — hopefully I can keep that up.”

Teammate Usman Khawaja added another layer of trust:

“Everyone respects Smith’s brain. He’s a good captain and even better now that he doesn’t have the job full time. He’s way more relaxed than he was back in the day.”

Those comments pretty much tell the story, a calmer, wiser Smith ready to step in when needed. No fuss, no drama, just cricket.

Why Cummins’ Absence Still Hurts Kangaroos?

But let’s not pretend it’s all sunshine for the Aussies. Losing Cummins is still a major blow. The Australian captain for Ashes isn’t just a leader. He’s one of the finest seamers in the world, with 309 wickets in 71 Tests and a career average of just over 22. He’s England’s nightmare bowler, having dismissed Joe Root more than anyone else in Test cricket. And don’t forget his knack for batting under pressure; who could forget that gutsy finish at Edgbaston in 2023? Boland brings plenty of class, but Cummins’ ability to swing momentum with a spell or a key lower-order partnership is hard to replicate. Without him, Australia’s bowling depth looks a touch thinner, and their tail a bit longer.

Australia will pray that it’s just the one Test that Pat Cummins misses with an Ashes record this good 🤞 pic.twitter.com/2DyKc5vSlo

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 27, 2025

Still, if the team rallies behind Smith, and the Pat Cummins vs Steve Smith rivalry continues to bring out the best in both men, Australia might just weather the storm until their regular skipper returns for Brisbane.

Closing Thoughts

So here we are: a fresh Ashes, a new twist, and a familiar debate. Will the Australian captain for Ashes in Perth be enough to hold off England’s early charge? If Steve Smith’s captaincy record is anything to go by, the Aussies are in safe hands. But let’s be honest, even from the sidelines, Cummins’ shadow looms large. One thing’s for sure: this Ashes series has already got people talking, and we haven’t even bowled the first ball yet.