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Australia captain Pat Cummins has admitted that his involvement in the first Ashes Test appears doubtful due to persistent injury concerns.

Recent reports from Australia had indicated that Cummins might miss the whole series, though the fast bowler himself has now given 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.

Although Cummins has resumed running training, he has yet to begin bowling as part of his rehabilitation 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 probably a couple of weeks away from actually putting on the spikes and bowling out on turf."

Fitness Requirements

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

Cummins echoed this assessment, clarifying: "You'd want at least approximately a month in the nets. If you participate in a Test match, you want to make certain you're capable to bowl 20 overs in a day without worry."

Team Consequences

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

Should Cummins be unavailable, former skipper Steve Smith is likely to captain the side, with Scott Boland potentially filling the gap in the bowling attack.

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 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 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 endured six years before his next match due to multiple stress fractures in his lower back.

Career Achievements

When fit, Cummins has proven himself as one of cricket's elite fast bowlers. The 32-year-old has taken 309 Test wickets 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 most recent Ashes series in 2023, Cummins played in all five Tests, taking 18 wickets and confirming his importance 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 victory 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 much-anticipated Ashes series approaches.