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

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

Injury Timeline

The veteran cricketer has been battling with a back stress injury that has prevented his participation since his last professional game in July.

Although Cummins has resumed 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. "My bowling preparation begins next week, so probably a couple of weeks away from wearing the spikes and bowling out on turf."

Bowling Preparation

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

Cummins supported this assessment, explaining: "You'd want at least probably a month in the nets. If you participate in 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 concerns about Cummins' availability for the following match in Brisbane on December 4.

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

Australia have held the Ashes urn since 2018, while The visitors 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 second-youngest player to take a five-for in an innings at that time.

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

Notable Accomplishments

When healthy, Cummins has established 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 Australia is even more formidable, 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 captain, Cummins enjoyed a successful 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.

Squad Situation

England also face their own injury concerns with captain Ben Stokes, who has been troubled by a shoulder injury since the Test series against India.

Both teams will be assessing their key players closely as the highly anticipated Ashes series nears.