🔗 Share this article Australia's captain Confronts Injury Struggle Ahead of First Ashes Match Pat Cummins made his Test first appearance at the age of 18 Skipper Pat Cummins has revealed that his involvement in the first Ashes Test appears doubtful due to persistent fitness concerns. Recent reports from Australia had suggested that Cummins might be ruled out of the whole series, though the fast bowler himself has now provided a more detailed update on his condition. Injury Timeline The veteran cricketer has been struggling with a back stress injury that has prevented his participation since his last professional game in July. While Cummins has restarted running exercises, he has yet to begin bowling as part of his rehabilitation program. "I wouldn't put a percentage on it, but my assessment is probably less likely than likely," stated Cummins. "My bowling preparation 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 need a minimum of four weeks of net sessions to have any chance 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 ensure you're capable to bowl 20 overs in a day without worry." Series Implications Given the compressed timeframe, there are also concerns about Cummins' availability for the second Test in Brisbane on December 4. Should Cummins be unfit, former captain Steve Smith is expected to captain the side, with Scott Boland possibly filling the gap in the bowling attack. Australia have held the Ashes urn since 2018, while The visitors are without a Test win 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 false dawn, as Cummins experienced 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 elite fast bowlers. The 32-year-old has taken 309 Test wickets at an impressive average of 22.10. His record in Australia 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 importance to the Australian side. As captain, Cummins enjoyed a glorious 2023, taking six wickets in Australia's victorious World Test Championship final and starring 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. Team Concerns England also face their own fitness concerns 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.