🔗 Share this article

Australia captain Pat Cummins has admitted that his involvement in the opening Ashes Test appears unlikely due to persistent injury concerns.

Recent reports from Australia had indicated that Cummins might be ruled out of the entire series, though the fast bowler himself has now given a more comprehensive update on his situation.

Injury Timeline

The veteran cricketer has been struggling with a spinal issue that has kept him sidelined 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.

"It's difficult to assign a percentage on it, but I'd say probably less likely than likely," stated Cummins. "My bowling preparation begins next week, so probably a couple of weeks away from wearing the spikes and bowling out on turf."

Bowling Preparation

Australia coach Andrew McDonald had earlier suggested that Cummins would need a bare minimum of four weeks of net sessions to have any opportunity of featuring in the first Test, scheduled to begin on November 21.

Cummins echoed this assessment, clarifying: "It's necessary to have at least probably a month in the nets. If you play a Test match, you want to ensure you're capable to bowl 20 overs in a day without worry."

Team Consequences

Given the compressed timeframe, there are also doubts about Cummins' availability for the second Test in Brisbane on December 4.

Should Cummins be unfit, former captain Steve Smith is expected to captain the side, with Scott Boland potentially stepping in in the pace department.

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

Historical Context

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-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 repeated stress fractures in his spine.

Career Achievements

When fit, Cummins has established himself as one of cricket's premier fast bowlers. The experienced campaigner has taken 309 Test wickets 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 claimed 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 importance to the Australian side.

As skipper, Cummins enjoyed a glorious 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 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 monitoring their key players closely as the much-anticipated Ashes series nears.