Pat Cummins has taken 309 wickets in 71 appearances with an impressive average.
Australia's selection chief George Bailey has stated that pace spearhead Cummins will have a crucial role in the forthcoming historic rivalry.
Speculation had been growing that the veteran bowler might sit out due to a stress fracture in his back that was still troubling him.
Initial reports from the Australian camp suggested no definitive call had been made regarding his involvement, with the five-Test series set to start on 21 November in Perth.
The selector shared that the captain is progressing and felt positive about the prospects of participating.
"We're aware that the clock is ticking and various factors at play, not only his injury, but further aspects," Bailey remarked.
"The outlook is good. [We are] really confident that he'll participate in a key capacity. Hopefully from the opening match. Otherwise, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
The captain missed the white-ball matches against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals in the previous weeks after examinations confirmed a stress reaction in his back.
There is a track record of back injuries, with recurrences in multiple past seasons leading to absences from multiple domestic campaigns in a short span.
He emphasized he would be proactive in his approach in his comeback strategy to secure his spot for the contest.
He mentioned that he did not know if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his rehabilitation but admitted it was "getting tight" for him to be fit for the opener.
Backup Options
Should Cummins not be fit, veteran batsman Smith will take over the captaincy.
All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from Australia's squad for their one-day international series against the Asian giants as a precautionary measure because of soreness in his side.
The selector characterized it as a "minor" injury and confirmed that he's scheduled to appear in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to be ready to bowl."
"Extensive planning has gone into creating the schedule for him to be available for the initial game as an batting and bowling option," Bailey explained.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the starting games regardless. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, should it hinder progress for another day, we opted to take a cautious route."
Match Calendar
The Ashes: Australia v England
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
