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. Advertisement

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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

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