🔗 Share this article

Skipper Pat Cummins has admitted that his participation in the first Ashes Test appears unlikely due to ongoing injury concerns.

Media speculation from Australia had indicated that Cummins might be ruled out of the whole series, though the fast bowler himself has now provided a more comprehensive update on his condition.

Injury Timeline

The 32-year-old has been battling with a spinal issue that has kept him sidelined 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," stated Cummins. "We get into begins next week, so approximately a couple of weeks away from actually putting on the spikes and delivering on turf."

Fitness Requirements

Team mentor Andrew McDonald had previously indicated that Cummins would need a bare minimum of four weeks of bowling preparation to have any chance of playing in the first Test, scheduled 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 participate in a Test match, you want to make certain you're able to bowl 20 overs in a day without worry."

Team Consequences

Given the tight timeframe, there are also concerns about Cummins' availability for the following match in Brisbane on December 4.

Should Cummins be unfit, former skipper Steve Smith is expected to captain the side, with Scott Boland potentially filling the gap 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.

Historical Context

Cummins' current injury concerns 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 endured six years before his next match due to multiple stress fractures in his lower back.

Career Achievements

When healthy, Cummins has proven himself as one of cricket's elite fast bowlers. The experienced campaigner has taken 309 Test dismissals 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 victorious World Test Championship final and starring in their 50-over World Cup final win against India.

He remains the only leader 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 highly anticipated Ashes series approaches.