Pat Cummins has taken 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an impressive average.
The Australian chair of selectors George Bailey has confirmed that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in the forthcoming Ashes series.
Speculation had been growing that Cummins might be unavailable due to a stress fracture in his back that was still troubling him.
Initial reports from the squad suggested no final decision had been made regarding his involvement, with the Test matches set to start on November 21 in Western Australia.
He revealed that his recovery is on track and felt positive about the likelihood of participating.
"We're aware that the window is narrowing and various factors at play, not just the physical problem, but further aspects," he commented.
"The outlook is good. [We are] really confident that he'll participate in a major part. With luck it's the first Test. If not, we'll reassess."
Past Concerns
Cummins was ruled out the white-ball matches against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals last month after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of back injuries, with setbacks in multiple past seasons forcing him out of three Australian summers in a limited period.
Cummins stated he would be proactive in his approach in his comeback strategy to secure his spot for the series.
He mentioned that it was unclear if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his rehabilitation but admitted it was "getting tight" for him to regain fitness for the initial match.
Backup Options
Should Cummins not be fit, ex-skipper Smith will lead the side.
Versatile player Green was withdrawn recently from the ODI lineup for their limited-overs matches against the Asian giants as a precautionary measure because of soreness in his side.
The selector characterized it as a "small issue and stated that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to deliver overs."
"Extensive planning has gone into building out the plan for him to take part for the first Test as an all-rounder," the selector detailed.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the first two ODIs in any case. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, if it causes any delay for 24 more hours, we opted to adopt a safer strategy."
Fixture Details
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
