Pat Cummins has secured over 300 dismissals in 71 Test matches with an impressive average.
The Australian selection chief George Bailey has stated that captain Pat Cummins will be a central figure in the forthcoming England-Australia contest.
Rumors had circulated that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a stress fracture in his back that had not yet healed.
Initial reports from team management suggested no official announcement had been made regarding his involvement, with the five-Test series kicking off on November 21 in Perth.
Bailey expressed that Cummins is "building up" and remained hopeful about the likelihood of taking part.
"It's clear that the clock is ticking and various factors involved, not only the back issue, but other factors as well," the selector added.
"The outlook is good. [We are] really confident that he'll participate in a major part. With luck from the opening match. Should that not happen, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
The captain missed Australia's limited-overs series against New Zealand and India last month after medical tests showed a stress reaction in his back.
There is a track record of spinal problems, with setbacks in several earlier campaigns causing him to miss several home seasons in a limited period.
The bowler mentioned he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his comeback strategy to ensure his availability for the series.
He mentioned that there was no confirmation if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his recovery but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to recover fully for the first Test.
Alternative Arrangements
Should Cummins not be fit, ex-skipper Smith will take over the captaincy.
Versatile player Green was withdrawn recently from the ODI lineup for their ODI contests against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of discomfort in his torso.
The selector characterized it as a "minor" injury and confirmed that Green will play in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to be ready to bowl."
"Considerable effort has gone into building out the plan for him to take part for the initial game as an all-rounder," he elaborated.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the first two ODIs anyway. How he handles the bat in limited-overs, should it hinder progress for 24 more hours, we just made the decision to take a cautious route."
Series Schedule
The Ashes: Australia v England
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
