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Australia captain Pat Cummins has admitted that his involvement in the opening Ashes Test appears unlikely due to ongoing fitness concerns.

Recent reports from Australia had indicated that Cummins might miss the whole series, though the pace bowler himself has now given a more detailed update on his situation.

Injury Timeline

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

Although Cummins has resumed 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," stated Cummins. "My bowling preparation begins next week, so probably 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 minimum of four weeks of bowling preparation to have any chance of featuring 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 able to bowl 20 overs in a day without concern."

Team Consequences

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

Should Cummins be unfit, former skipper Steve Smith is likely to captain the side, with Scott Boland possibly filling the gap in the pace department.

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

Career Background

Cummins' current fitness issues mirror challenges from earlier in his successful career. He made his Test first appearance as an 18-year-old in 2011 against South Africa, becoming the youngest-ever player to take a five-for 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 repeated 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 dismissals at an remarkable average of 22.10.

His record in Australia is even more formidable, 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 establishing his value to the Australian side.

As skipper, Cummins enjoyed a successful 2023, taking six wickets in Australia's triumphant 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.

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.