All the optimism surrounding the fitness of Australia’s premier pacers seems to have gone into the drain as Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have been ruled out of Australia’s upcoming Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

Cricket Australia have confirmed that the pair haven’t bowled for a sufficient period of time to be match fit for the tour in October, which is why Mitchell Starc will be the only bowler from the Ashes-winning campaign to feature against Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the physiotherapist of the team, David Beakley, has revealed that the duo are doing well in their road to recovery and are expected to make a return to cricket via the JLT One-Day Cup in September. He, however, also added that they don’t have the fitness to play at the intensity required in Test cricket.

"Pat and Josh are progressing well from their lumbar bone stress injuries but are not bowling, so, unfortunately, they will not be at the level required for Test match intensity come October," Beakley said.

"Barring any setbacks, we are hopeful that Pat and Josh will return via the back-end of the JLT One-Day Cup, with the aim of them being available for the ODI Series against South Africa in November as they build towards the Indian Test Series.”

There seems to some kind of light at the end of the tunnel here as Beakley revealed that Starc will be back for the Test series against Pakistan.