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Skipper Pat Cummins has revealed that his involvement 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 32-year-old has been battling with a back stress injury that has prevented his participation since his last competitive match in July.

While Cummins has resumed running exercises, he has yet to commence bowling as part of his recovery program.

"It's difficult to assign a percentage on it, but my assessment is probably less likely than likely," commented Cummins. "We get into begins next week, so approximately 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 need a minimum of four weeks of net sessions to have any opportunity of featuring in the first Test, scheduled to begin on November 21.

Cummins echoed 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 able to bowl 20 overs in a day without concern."

Team Consequences

Given the compressed timeframe, there are also doubts about Cummins' availability for the following match in Brisbane on December 4.

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

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

Historical Context

Cummins' current injury concerns mirror 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-for in an innings at that time.

However, his explosive debut proved to be a false dawn, as Cummins endured six years before his second Test appearance due to multiple stress fractures in his spine.

Career Achievements

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

His record in Australia is even more impressive, 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 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 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 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 approaches.