🔗 Share this article Pat Cummins Confronts Injury Battle Ahead of First Ashes Match The Australian pace bowler debuted in Test first appearance at the young age of 18 Australia captain Pat Cummins has admitted that his involvement in the first Ashes Test appears unlikely due to ongoing 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. Injury Timeline The 32-year-old has been struggling with a back stress injury that has kept him sidelined since his last professional game 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," stated Cummins. "We get into begins next week, so probably 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 require a bare 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, explaining: "You'd want at least approximately a month in the nets. If you play 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 concerns about Cummins' fitness for the second Test in Brisbane on December 4. Should Cummins be unavailable, former skipper Steve Smith is likely to captain the side, with Scott Boland potentially 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. Historical Context Cummins' current fitness issues 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-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 multiple stress fractures in his lower back. Career Achievements When fit, Cummins has established himself as one of cricket's elite fast bowlers. The experienced campaigner has taken 309 Test wickets at an remarkable average of 22.10. His record in home conditions is even more impressive, 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 skipper, Cummins enjoyed a glorious 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 leader in Test history to win the World Test Championship, World Cup, and an Ashes series. Team Concerns 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.