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

Media speculation from Australia had indicated that Cummins might miss the entire series, though the fast bowler himself has now provided a more detailed update on his situation.

Recovery Process

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

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

"I wouldn't put a percentage on it, but my assessment is probably less likely than likely," commented Cummins. "We get into begins next week, so approximately a couple of weeks away from wearing the spikes and bowling out on turf."

Bowling Preparation

Team mentor Andrew McDonald had previously indicated that Cummins would require a bare minimum of four weeks of bowling preparation to have any opportunity of featuring in the first Test, set to begin on November 21.

Cummins supported this assessment, clarifying: "You'd want at least probably a month in the nets. If you play a Test match, you want to ensure you're able to bowl 20 overs in a day without concern."

Team Consequences

Given the compressed timeframe, there are also concerns about Cummins' fitness 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 pace department.

The hosts have retained the Ashes urn since 2018, while The visitors are without a Test win in Australia since 2011.

Career Background

Cummins' current fitness issues echo challenges from earlier in his successful 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-wicket haul in an innings at that time.

However, his explosive debut proved to be a false dawn, as Cummins endured six years before his second Test appearance due to repeated stress fractures in his spine.

Career Achievements

When fit, Cummins has proven himself as one of cricket's premier fast bowlers. The experienced campaigner has taken 309 Test wickets at an remarkable average of 22.10.

His record in Australia is even more formidable, with 177 wickets at 19.92, while he has claimed 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 confirming his importance to the Australian side.

As skipper, Cummins enjoyed a glorious 2023, taking six wickets in Australia's victorious 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.

Squad Situation

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

Both teams will be assessing their key players closely as the much-anticipated Ashes series approaches.