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

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

Injury Timeline

The veteran cricketer has been struggling with a spinal issue that has prevented his participation since his last professional game in July.

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

"I wouldn't put a percentage on it, but my assessment is probably more doubtful than certain," commented Cummins. "We get into begins next week, so approximately a couple of weeks away from actually putting on the spikes and delivering on turf."

Fitness Requirements

Australia coach Andrew McDonald had previously indicated that Cummins would require a bare minimum of four weeks of net sessions 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 approximately a month in the nets. If you play a Test match, you want to make certain you're able to bowl 20 overs in a day without concern."

Team Consequences

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

Should Cummins be unfit, 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 victory in Australia since 2011.

Career Background

Cummins' current injury concerns echo challenges from earlier in his successful career. He made his Test debut 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 next match due to multiple stress fractures in his spine.

Career Achievements

When fit, Cummins has proven himself as one of cricket's premier fast bowlers. The 32-year-old has taken 309 Test wickets 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 most recent Ashes series in 2023, Cummins played in all five Tests, taking 18 wickets and establishing his importance to the Australian side.

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

He remains the only captain 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 much-anticipated Ashes series nears.