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Australia captain Pat Cummins has revealed that his involvement in the opening Ashes Test appears doubtful due to persistent fitness concerns.

Recent reports from Australia had indicated that Cummins might miss the entire series, though the pace bowler himself has now provided a more detailed update on his condition.

Recovery Process

The veteran cricketer has been battling with a spinal issue that has prevented his participation since his last professional game in July.

While Cummins has restarted running training, 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 more doubtful than certain," commented Cummins. "We get into 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 previously indicated that Cummins would require a bare minimum of four weeks of net sessions to have any chance 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 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 following match in Brisbane on December 4.

Should Cummins be unavailable, former captain Steve Smith is expected to lead the side, with Scott Boland potentially stepping in in the bowling attack.

Australia have retained the Ashes urn since 2018, while England are without a Test win in Australia since 2011.

Career Background

Cummins' current injury concerns echo challenges from earlier in his successful 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-for in an innings at that time.

However, his impressive 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 established himself as one of cricket's premier fast bowlers. The experienced campaigner has taken 309 Test wickets at an remarkable average of 22.10.

His record in Australia is even more impressive, 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 skipper, 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 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 nears.