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Skipper Pat Cummins has revealed that his involvement in the opening Ashes Test appears doubtful due to ongoing injury concerns.

Recent reports from Australia had indicated that Cummins might be ruled out of the whole series, though the fast bowler himself has now given a more detailed update on his situation.

Injury Timeline

The veteran cricketer has been struggling with a back stress injury that has kept him sidelined since his last professional game in July.

While Cummins has restarted running training, he has yet to begin bowling as part of his rehabilitation program.

"It's difficult to assign a percentage on it, but my assessment is probably less likely than likely," commented Cummins. "My bowling preparation begins next week, so approximately a couple of weeks away from actually putting on the spikes and bowling out on turf."

Fitness Requirements

Team mentor Andrew McDonald had earlier suggested that Cummins would need a bare minimum of four weeks of net sessions to have any opportunity of featuring in the first Test, scheduled to begin on November 21.

Cummins supported this assessment, clarifying: "It's necessary to have at least approximately a month in the nets. If you participate in a Test match, you want to make certain you're able to bowl 20 overs in a day without worry."

Series Implications

Given the tight timeframe, there are also concerns about Cummins' availability for the following match in Brisbane on December 4.

Should Cummins be unavailable, former captain Steve Smith is likely to captain the side, with Scott Boland possibly stepping in in the bowling attack.

Australia have held the Ashes urn since 2018, while England are without a Test victory in Australia since 2011.

Historical Context

Cummins' current fitness issues mirror challenges from earlier in his distinguished career. He made his Test first appearance as an 18-year-old in 2011 against South Africa, becoming the youngest-ever player to take a five-for in an innings at that time.

However, his explosive debut proved to be a misleading start, as Cummins experienced six years before his second Test appearance due to repeated stress fractures in his lower back.

Career Achievements

When healthy, Cummins has established himself as one of cricket's premier fast bowlers. The 32-year-old has taken 309 Test dismissals at an remarkable average of 22.10.

His record in Australia is even more impressive, with 177 wickets at 19.92, while he has taken 91 wickets against England in just 19 matches.

In the latest Ashes series in 2023, Cummins played in all five Tests, taking 18 wickets and establishing his value to the Australian side.

As captain, Cummins enjoyed a successful 2023, taking six wickets in Australia's triumphant World Test Championship final and excelling in their 50-over World Cup final win against India.

He remains the only leader in Test history to win the World Test Championship, World Cup, and an Ashes series.

Team Concerns

England also face their own injury worries with captain Ben Stokes, who has been affected by a shoulder injury since the Test series against India.

Both teams will be assessing their key players closely as the highly anticipated Ashes series nears.