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Skipper Pat Cummins has admitted that his participation in the first Ashes Test appears doubtful due to persistent injury concerns.

Media speculation from Australia had suggested that Cummins might miss the whole series, though the fast bowler himself has now given a more comprehensive update on his situation.

Recovery Process

The 32-year-old has been battling with a spinal issue that has kept him sidelined since his last professional game in July.

Although Cummins has resumed running training, 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," stated Cummins. "We get into begins next week, so probably a couple of weeks away from actually putting on the spikes and delivering on turf."

Fitness Requirements

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

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

Series Implications

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

Should Cummins be unfit, former skipper Steve Smith is expected to captain 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 victory in Australia since 2011.

Career Background

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

However, his impressive debut proved to be a misleading start, as Cummins experienced six years before his second Test appearance due to multiple stress fractures in his lower back.

Career Achievements

When healthy, Cummins has established himself as one of cricket's premier fast bowlers. The 32-year-old has taken 309 Test wickets at an impressive average of 22.10.

His record in home conditions is even more impressive, 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 confirming 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 excelling 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.

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 assessing their key players closely as the much-anticipated Ashes series approaches.