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Australia captain Pat Cummins has admitted that his involvement in the first Ashes Test appears unlikely due to ongoing fitness concerns.

Recent reports from Australia had indicated that Cummins might be ruled out of the whole series, though the pace bowler himself has now provided a more detailed update on his situation.

Recovery Process

The veteran cricketer has been struggling with a back stress injury that has prevented his participation since his last professional game in July.

Although Cummins has restarted running exercises, 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 more doubtful than certain," commented 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 minimum of four weeks of net sessions to have any opportunity of featuring in the first Test, set to begin on November 21.

Cummins echoed 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 concern."

Team Consequences

Given the compressed timeframe, there are also concerns 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 potentially stepping in in the bowling attack.

The hosts have held 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 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 endured six years before his next match due to repeated stress fractures in his spine.

Notable Accomplishments

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 formidable, 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 value to the Australian side.

As captain, 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 captain in Test history to win the World Test Championship, World Cup, and an Ashes series.

Squad Situation

England also face their own injury 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.