🔗 Share this article Pat Cummins Faces Injury Battle Ahead of First Ashes Match Pat Cummins made his Test debut at the age of 18 Skipper Pat Cummins has admitted that his participation in the opening Ashes Test appears unlikely due to ongoing fitness concerns. Recent reports from Australia had indicated that Cummins might miss the whole series, though the pace bowler himself has now given a more comprehensive 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. Although 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 my assessment is probably less likely than likely," commented Cummins. "My bowling preparation begins next week, so approximately a couple of weeks away from wearing the spikes and delivering on turf." Bowling Preparation 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 playing 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 make certain you're capable to bowl 20 overs in a day without worry." Team Consequences Given the compressed timeframe, there are also doubts about Cummins' availability for the following match in Brisbane on December 4. Should Cummins be unavailable, former captain Steve Smith is expected to captain the side, with Scott Boland possibly stepping in in the bowling attack. The hosts have held the Ashes urn since 2018, while The visitors are without a Test win in Australia since 2011. Career Background Cummins' current fitness issues 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 second Test appearance due to repeated stress fractures in his spine. Career Achievements 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 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 confirming his value to the Australian side. As captain, Cummins enjoyed a successful 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 captain 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 assessing their key players closely as the highly anticipated Ashes series approaches.