🔗 Share this article Australia's captain Faces Injury Battle Ahead of First Ashes Test Pat Cummins debuted in Test first appearance at the young age of 18 Skipper Pat Cummins has admitted that his involvement in the opening 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 given a more comprehensive update on his condition. Injury Timeline The 32-year-old 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 training, he has yet to commence bowling as part of his recovery program. "I wouldn't put a percentage on it, but I'd say probably less likely than likely," commented Cummins. "My bowling preparation begins next week, so probably a couple of weeks away from wearing the spikes and bowling out on turf." Fitness Requirements Team mentor Andrew McDonald had earlier suggested 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: "It's necessary to have at least probably a month in the nets. If you play a Test match, you want to make certain you're capable to bowl 20 overs in a day without concern." Team Consequences Given the tight timeframe, there are also doubts about Cummins' fitness for the second Test in Brisbane on December 4. Should Cummins be unavailable, former skipper Steve Smith is likely to lead the side, with Scott Boland possibly stepping in in the pace department. The hosts have retained the Ashes urn since 2018, while England are without a Test victory in Australia since 2011. Career Background Cummins' current fitness issues echo 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-for 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 repeated stress fractures in his lower back. Notable Accomplishments When fit, Cummins has proven himself as one of cricket's premier fast bowlers. The experienced campaigner has taken 309 Test dismissals at an impressive average of 22.10. His record in home conditions 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 establishing his importance to the Australian side. As captain, Cummins enjoyed a successful 2023, taking six wickets in Australia's victorious 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. 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 assessing their key players closely as the much-anticipated Ashes series approaches.