Pat Cummins has claimed 309 wickets in 71 five-day games with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's selection chief George Bailey has stated that captain Pat Cummins will play a "major part" in this winter's Ashes series.
There were concerns that Cummins might sit out due to a stress fracture in his back that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from team management suggested no official announcement had been made regarding whether he would play, with the Test matches set to start on 21 November in Western Australia.
The selector shared that his recovery is on track and felt positive about the likelihood of taking part.
"We're aware that the clock is ticking and various factors at play, aside from the back issue, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.
"The outlook is good. [We are] really confident that he will feature a significant role. With luck it's the first Test. If not, we'll reassess."
Past Concerns
The captain missed the white-ball matches against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals last month after scans revealed a lower back issue.
There is a track record of recurring issues, with setbacks in multiple past seasons causing him to miss three Australian summers in a limited period.
He emphasized he would be proactive in his approach in his recovery plan to secure his spot for the Ashes.
The selector indicated that there was no confirmation if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his comeback but conceded it was "pressing" for him to recover fully for the first Test.
Alternative Arrangements
In case of absence, ex-skipper Smith will lead the side.
Versatile player Green was withdrawn recently from Australia's squad for their limited-overs matches against the subcontinent side as a precautionary measure because of an abdominal issue.
He labeled it as a "minor" injury and mentioned that Green will play in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "ideally positioned to resume bowling."
"Extensive planning has gone into creating the schedule for him to be available for the opening match as an batting and bowling option," he elaborated.
"He was only going to play the first two ODIs in any case. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, should it hinder progress for a short period, we opted to approach this more conservatively."
Fixture Details
Australia vs England: The Ashes
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
