🔗 Share this article

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

Media speculation from Australia had indicated that Cummins might miss the entire series, though the pace bowler himself has now given a more comprehensive 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 resumed running training, he has yet to begin bowling as part of his recovery program.

"I wouldn't put a percentage on it, but I'd say probably more doubtful than certain," commented Cummins. "We get into begins next week, so probably a couple of weeks away from wearing the spikes and bowling out on turf."

Fitness Requirements

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

Cummins supported this assessment, clarifying: "It's necessary to have at least approximately a month in the nets. If you participate in a Test match, you want to ensure you're able to bowl 20 overs in a day without worry."

Team Consequences

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

Should Cummins be unfit, former captain Steve Smith is expected to captain the side, with Scott Boland possibly stepping in in the bowling attack.

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

Career Background

Cummins' current injury concerns mirror challenges from earlier in his distinguished 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-wicket haul in an innings at that time.

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

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 home conditions is even more formidable, 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 importance to the Australian side.

As captain, Cummins enjoyed a glorious 2023, taking six wickets in Australia's victorious World Test Championship final and excelling in their 50-over World Cup final win 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 fitness worries 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 nears.