SYDNEY :Australia coach Andrew McDonald conceded on Friday that captain Pat Cummins was running out of time to be fit for the first Ashes test next month but said he had not yet been ruled out.

A back stress injury has cast doubt on the 32-year-old's participation in the Ashes series, which starts on November 21, with the paceman yet to resume bowling in his rehabilitation period.

McDonald said those suffering from back stress injuries experience "ebb and flow" in their recovery but that Cummins was feeling more positive this week.

"The reality is, we're starting to get tight in terms of the times," McDonald said.

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