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

Media speculation from Australia had indicated that Cummins might be ruled out of the entire series, though the pace bowler himself has now provided a more comprehensive update on his condition.

Recovery Process

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

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

"It's difficult to assign a percentage on it, but I'd say probably more doubtful than certain," commented Cummins. "We get into begins next week, so probably a couple of weeks away from actually putting on the spikes and bowling out on turf."

Fitness Requirements

Australia coach Andrew McDonald had earlier suggested that Cummins would need a minimum of four weeks of bowling preparation to have any opportunity of playing in the first Test, scheduled to begin on November 21.

Cummins echoed this assessment, explaining: "You'd want at least approximately a month in the nets. If you play a Test match, you want to ensure you're capable 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 expected to captain the side, with Scott Boland potentially stepping in in the pace department.

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

Career Background

Cummins' current injury concerns mirror challenges from earlier in his distinguished career. He made his Test debut as an 18-year-old in 2011 against South Africa, becoming the second-youngest 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 repeated stress fractures in his lower back.

Career Achievements

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

His record in home conditions is even more impressive, with 177 wickets at 19.92, while he has taken 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 importance to the Australian side.

As captain, 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 captain 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 monitoring their key players closely as the much-anticipated Ashes series nears.