Pat Cummins has taken 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an stellar bowling average.
The Australian chair of selectors the selector has stated that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in this winter's England-Australia contest.
Rumors had circulated that the 32-year-old might be unavailable due to a stress fracture in his back that had not yet healed.
Initial reports from the squad suggested no official announcement had been made regarding whether he would play, with the extended contest kicking off on November 21 in Western Australia.
He revealed that his recovery is on track and remained hopeful about the prospects of being involved.
"We know that the window is narrowing and there are permutations involved, not just the back issue, but other factors as well," he commented.
"It's positive. We firmly believe that he'll participate in a significant role. Hopefully it's the first Test. Otherwise, then we'll pick it up."
Previous Setbacks
He was sidelined the ODI and T20 games against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals recently after examinations confirmed a lumbar bone stress.
He has a history of back injuries, with flare-ups in multiple past seasons causing him to miss three Australian summers in a limited period.
The bowler mentioned he would be proactive in his approach in his comeback strategy to ensure his availability for the Ashes.
Bailey noted that it was unclear if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his rehabilitation but acknowledged it was "becoming urgent" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Contingency Plans
Should Cummins not be fit, former captain Steve Smith will take over the captaincy.
All-rounder Cameron Green was recently pulled out from the ODI lineup for their limited-overs matches against the Asian giants as a preventive step because of soreness in his side.
The selector characterized it as a "minor" injury and confirmed that Green will play in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "in a good place to resume bowling."
"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to take part for the opening match as an batting and bowling option," the selector detailed.
"He was only going to play the starting games in any case. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for another day, we opted to approach this more conservatively."
Series Schedule
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
