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

Recent reports from Australia had suggested that Cummins might be ruled out of the entire series, though the fast bowler himself has now given a more detailed update on his situation.

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.

While Cummins has restarted running exercises, he has yet to commence 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 wearing the spikes and delivering on turf."

Fitness Requirements

Australia coach Andrew McDonald had previously indicated that Cummins would need a minimum of four weeks of bowling preparation to have any chance of playing in the first Test, set 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 concern."

Team Consequences

Given the tight timeframe, there are also doubts about Cummins' availability for the second Test 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.

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

Historical Context

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 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.

Notable Accomplishments

When fit, Cummins has established himself as one of cricket's premier fast bowlers. The 32-year-old has taken 309 Test dismissals at an impressive 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 most recent 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 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 injury worries with captain Ben Stokes, who has been affected 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.