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Skipper Pat Cummins has admitted that his participation in the first Ashes Test appears doubtful due to persistent injury concerns.

Recent reports from Australia had suggested that Cummins might be ruled out of the entire series, though the pace bowler himself has now provided a more detailed update on his situation.

Recovery Process

The 32-year-old has been struggling with a back stress injury that has kept him sidelined since his last competitive match in July.

While Cummins has resumed running exercises, he has yet to commence bowling as part of his rehabilitation program.

"I wouldn't put a percentage on it, but I'd say 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 chance of featuring in the first Test, set to begin on November 21.

Cummins echoed this assessment, explaining: "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."

Team Consequences

Given the compressed timeframe, there are also doubts about Cummins' fitness for the second Test in Brisbane on December 4.

Should Cummins be unavailable, former skipper Steve Smith is likely to lead the side, with Scott Boland possibly stepping in in the pace department.

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

Career Background

Cummins' current fitness issues echo 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-wicket haul in an innings at that time.

However, his impressive debut proved to be a misleading start, as Cummins experienced six years before his second Test appearance due to multiple stress fractures in his spine.

Career Achievements

When fit, Cummins has established himself as one of cricket's premier fast bowlers. The experienced campaigner has taken 309 Test dismissals 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 most recent Ashes series in 2023, Cummins played in all five Tests, taking 18 wickets and confirming his value 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.

Team Concerns

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

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