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Australia captain Pat Cummins has revealed that his participation in the opening Ashes Test appears doubtful due to ongoing injury concerns.

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

Injury Timeline

The veteran cricketer has been battling with a back stress injury that has kept him sidelined since his last competitive match 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 less likely than likely," commented Cummins. "We get into begins next week, so approximately a couple of weeks away from actually putting on 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 net sessions to have any opportunity of playing in the first Test, set to begin on November 21.

Cummins supported this assessment, explaining: "It's necessary to have at least probably a month in the nets. If you participate in a Test match, you want to ensure you're able to bowl 20 overs in a day without concern."

Series Implications

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 lead 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 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-for in an innings at that time.

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

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 impressive average of 22.10.

His record in Australia is even more impressive, 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 value to the Australian side.

As skipper, Cummins enjoyed a successful 2023, taking six wickets in Australia's victorious World Test Championship final and starring 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 fitness worries with captain Ben Stokes, who has been affected 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 approaches.