Pat Cummins admits he is ‘weeks away’ from bowling and unlikely to play in first Ashes Test

Pat Cummins has admitted he is unlikely to play in the Ashes opener as a return to real bowling is still some time away.

Cummins is expected to learn this week whether he will be able to perform in Perth on November 21, with officials admitting the fast-track timeline is due to a tight timeline.

The 32-year-old has not bowled since Australia’s 3-0 defeat to the West Indies in July, with back scans since revealing a stress injury on his back.

When asked on Monday what his chances were of playing in the first Test at Optus Stadium, Cummins admitted they were not high.

“I wouldn’t put a percentage on it, but I would say probably less likely than likely,” the quick said at the summer launch of Fox Cricket. ‘I still have a little time.

“I’m running today and running every second day, and each run is a little bit longer and then we’ll start with some light bowling preparation, I think next week. I’ll probably be on the road for a few weeks before I actually put on these spikes and start bowling on the turf.

“But it’s been a good few weeks. Every session feels better and better.”

Cummins insisted it was too early to know how much of the series he could miss as the coaching staff were optimistic about the quick’s chances.

The first test is still five and a half weeks away, with the second in Brisbane starting almost a fortnight after that.

There is still a 12-day gap between the start at the Gabba and Adelaide Oval, giving Cummins more time to prepare.

“The immediate goal is to make sure I give myself the opportunity to get as right about it as possible,” Cummins said. “It’s really too early to make any big decisions. You’re just trying to check off each session.”

“With these things it’s quite difficult to go from not bowling at all or whatever to suddenly playing five Tests. The first step is to try to give us a chance to get it right, and then we’ll work it out a little further.”

Cummins said he was not in severe pain but sometimes experienced stiffness after recently resuming running.

“I’m actually feeling really good at the moment,” the Test skipper said. “A few symptoms lingered a little longer than I would have liked, but they are all gone now.

“So I’m just trying to increase the workload a little bit and make sure the body is responding properly.”

If Cummins is out, Scott Boland is almost certain to take his place in the XI.

Cummins plans to travel with the team to Perth regardless of whether he plays and remain with the squad from then on.

“Even if I don’t play that first Test, hopefully I’ll be very close to playing and preparing,” Cummins said. “And that’s where all the physios, coaches and players are.”