🔗 Share this article Australia's captain Faces Fitness Battle Ahead of Opening Ashes Test The Australian pace bowler made his Test debut at the 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 entire series, though the pace bowler himself has now provided a more detailed update on his situation. Injury Timeline The 32-year-old has been struggling with a back stress injury that has kept him sidelined since his last competitive match in July. Although Cummins has resumed running training, he has yet to commence bowling as part of his rehabilitation 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 actually putting on the spikes and delivering on turf." Fitness Requirements 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, set to begin on November 21. Cummins echoed this assessment, clarifying: "You'd want at least approximately 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 worry." Series Implications Given the compressed timeframe, there are also concerns about Cummins' availability for the second Test in Brisbane on December 4. Should Cummins be unavailable, former captain Steve Smith is expected to lead the side, with Scott Boland potentially filling the gap in the pace department. Australia have held the Ashes urn since 2018, while England are without a Test win 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 youngest-ever player to take a five-for in an innings at that time. However, his explosive debut proved to be a false dawn, as Cummins endured six years before his next match due to multiple stress fractures in his spine. Career Achievements When healthy, Cummins has established himself as one of cricket's premier fast bowlers. The 32-year-old 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 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 affected 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 approaches.