'No chance': Pat Cummins to miss first Ashes Test against England in Perth
There is growing concern that Australia captain Pat Cummins could miss the entire Ashes series with reports claiming it is "effectively impossible" for him to play in the first Test on November 21.
Cummins is recovering from a stress injury in his lower back and while it is healing the 32-year-old is yet to resume bowling at training, let alone in a match.
It is six weeks until the first ball is bowled against England in Perth and Cummins would most likely need a minimum of six weeks to build his loads enough to take aim at the likes of Joe Root, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes.
LIVE UPDATES: AFL trade period day three
READ MORE: Cummins, Head offered $10m each to leave Aussie cricket
READ MORE: Feuds, scandal, bizarre calls: Roosters scoop forgotten awards
Pat Cummins of Australia inspects the pitch at The Oval. ICC via Getty Images
"Cummins, who had previously expressed confidence that he would be able to take a significant part in the series, is no chance for the opener in Perth, starting on November 21, and may even miss all five Tests, leaving Steve Smith as the likely stand-in skipper to face Ben Stokes' England team," the Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Former Test skipper Mark Taylor was already very concerned about the fast bowler's availability.
"It is a bit of a worry, there's no doubt about that," Taylor told Nine's Wide World of Sports on Sunday.
Pat Cummins of Australia celebrates taking the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane of India. Getty
"Pat quite rightly is playing it down because he says he is going to play all five Test matches, but during the week he's saying he's not going to play any lead-up games.
"Well, that's a worry in itself... he's got a hot spot in his back, how does he test it out?
"I know he'll do nets and workouts in the gym, but the game itself is where you find that extra yard, that extra bit of adrenaline kicks in. It'll be interesting to see how he goes.
"There will be some rotation of the bowlers during the summer I'm sure, but let's hope for Australia and for Pat Cummins that he can play all five Tests."
Scott Boland - averaging a remarkable 16.53 with the ball from 14 Tests - would almost certainly take Cummins' place in Australia's XI if he is ruled out at Optus Stadium.
Steve Smith and Travis Head are Australia's co-vice captains.
