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

Media speculation from Australia had suggested that Cummins might be ruled out of the whole series, though the fast bowler himself has now given a more comprehensive update on his situation.

Recovery Process

The 32-year-old has been battling with a back stress injury that has prevented his participation since his last competitive match in July.

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

"It's difficult to assign a percentage on it, but my assessment is probably less likely than likely," stated Cummins. "We get into begins next week, so approximately a couple of weeks away from actually putting on the spikes and delivering on turf."

Bowling Preparation

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

Cummins supported this assessment, explaining: "It's necessary to have at least approximately a month in the nets. If you play a Test match, you want to make certain you're capable to bowl 20 overs in a day without worry."

Series Implications

Given the compressed timeframe, there are also concerns about Cummins' availability for the second Test 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 bowling attack.

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

Career Background

Cummins' current injury concerns 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-wicket haul in an innings at that time.

However, his impressive debut proved to be a misleading start, as Cummins endured six years before his second Test appearance due to repeated stress fractures in his lower back.

Career Achievements

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

His record in home conditions is even more formidable, with 177 wickets at 19.92, while he has taken 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 establishing his value to the Australian side.

As captain, Cummins enjoyed a glorious 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 captain 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 affected 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 approaches.