🔗 Share this article Pat Cummins Confronts Injury Struggle Ahead of First Ashes Match The Australian pace bowler made his Test debut at the age of 18 Australia captain Pat Cummins has revealed that his involvement in the opening Ashes Test appears doubtful due to persistent injury 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 battling with a spinal issue 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. "It's difficult to assign a percentage on it, but my assessment is probably less likely than likely," stated Cummins. "My bowling preparation begins next week, so approximately a couple of weeks away from wearing the spikes and delivering 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 playing in the first Test, scheduled to begin on November 21. Cummins supported this assessment, clarifying: "It's necessary to have at least probably a month in the nets. If you participate in a Test match, you want to ensure you're able to bowl 20 overs in a day without concern." Series Implications Given the tight 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 lead the side, with Scott Boland potentially stepping in in the bowling attack. Australia have held the Ashes urn since 2018, while England are without a Test victory in Australia since 2011. Career Background Cummins' current fitness issues mirror challenges from earlier in his successful career. He made his Test debut 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 experienced six years before his second Test appearance due to multiple stress fractures in his spine. Notable Accomplishments When fit, Cummins has established himself as one of cricket's elite fast bowlers. The experienced campaigner has taken 309 Test wickets at an remarkable average of 22.10. His record in Australia is even more formidable, 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 value to the Australian side. As skipper, Cummins enjoyed a successful 2023, taking six wickets in Australia's triumphant World Test Championship final and starring 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 affected by a shoulder injury since the Test series against India. Both teams will be monitoring their key players closely as the highly anticipated Ashes series nears.