Pat Cummins has claimed 309 wickets in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's selection chief the selector has confirmed that pace spearhead Cummins will have a crucial role in the forthcoming England-Australia contest.
Rumors had circulated that Cummins might sit out due to a ongoing back issue that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from the squad suggested no final decision had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the Test matches scheduled to begin on November 21 in Perth.
The selector shared that his recovery is on track and was "optimistic" about the likelihood of being involved.
"We're aware that the window is narrowing and various factors involved, not just the physical problem, but other factors as well," the selector added.
"We're encouraged. We firmly believe that he will feature a key capacity. Ideally from the opening match. If not, we'll reassess."
Injury History
The captain missed the white-ball matches against India and New Zealand last month after examinations confirmed a stress reaction in his back.
There is a track record of recurring issues, with recurrences in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 forcing him out of three Australian summers in a short span.
The bowler mentioned he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his recovery plan to secure his spot for the series.
He mentioned that he did not know if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his comeback but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to be fit for the initial match.
Contingency Plans
If he's unavailable, former captain Steve Smith will lead the side.
The talented all-rounder was excluded lately from the national team for their limited-overs matches against India as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.
He labeled it as a "minor" injury and confirmed that Green will play in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to deliver overs."
"Considerable effort has gone into creating the schedule for him to participate for the initial game as an batting and bowling option," Bailey explained.
"His involvement was limited to the first two ODIs in any case. His aggressive style the willow in shorter formats, if it causes any delay for a short period, we opted to take a cautious route."
Match Calendar
The Ashes: Australia v England
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
