Australia captain Pat Cummins has admitted that his involvement in the first Ashes Test appears doubtful due to persistent fitness concerns.
Media speculation from Australia had indicated that Cummins might be ruled out of the entire series, though the fast bowler himself has now given a more detailed update on his condition.
The 32-year-old has been struggling 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 rehabilitation program.
"It's difficult to assign a percentage on it, but my assessment is probably more doubtful than certain," commented Cummins. "We get into begins next week, so approximately a couple of weeks away from actually putting on the spikes and bowling out on turf."
Team mentor Andrew McDonald had earlier suggested that Cummins would require a minimum of four weeks of bowling preparation to have any opportunity of featuring in the first Test, set to begin on November 21.
Cummins supported this assessment, clarifying: "You'd want at least probably 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 concern."
Given the tight timeframe, there are also doubts about Cummins' fitness for the second Test in Brisbane on December 4.
Should Cummins be unfit, former captain Steve Smith is likely to captain the side, with Scott Boland possibly stepping in in the bowling attack.
The hosts have retained the Ashes urn since 2018, while The visitors are without a Test victory in Australia since 2011.
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 youngest-ever 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 experienced six years before his next match due to repeated stress fractures in his lower back.
When healthy, 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 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 confirming his importance to the Australian side.
As skipper, 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 win against India.
He remains the only captain in Test history to win the World Test Championship, World Cup, and an Ashes series.
England also face their own injury concerns 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.
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