Pat Cummins has secured 309 Test scalps in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
The Australian selection chief George Bailey has stated that skipper Cummins will have a crucial role in the forthcoming England-Australia contest.
Rumors had circulated that Cummins might be unavailable due to a persistent back stress problem that had not yet healed.
Previous updates from the Australian camp suggested no final decision had been made regarding his involvement, with the five-Test series scheduled to begin on 21 November in Western Australia.
The selector shared that the captain is progressing and remained hopeful about his chances of being involved.
"We know that the clock is ticking and there are permutations around that, not just the back issue, but further aspects," he commented.
"It's positive. We firmly believe that he's going to play a significant role. Ideally from the opening match. Otherwise, we'll reassess."
Past Concerns
He was sidelined the ODI and T20 games against New Zealand and India recently after medical tests showed a lumbar bone stress.
There is a track record of spinal problems, with recurrences in several earlier campaigns forcing him out of three Australian summers in four years.
He emphasized he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his comeback strategy to ensure his availability for the contest.
Bailey noted that it was unclear if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his recovery but admitted it was "becoming urgent" for him to recover fully for the first Test.
Alternative Arrangements
If he's unavailable, ex-skipper Smith will assume leadership.
Versatile player Green was excluded lately from Australia's squad for their limited-overs matches against India as a precautionary measure because of an abdominal issue.
The selector characterized it as a "slight concern and confirmed that he's scheduled to appear in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "in a good place to resume bowling."
"Extensive planning has gone into creating the schedule for him to be available for the first Test as an dual-role player," Bailey explained.
"He was only going to play the initial matches anyway. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, should it hinder progress for another day, we just made the decision to adopt a safer strategy."
Match Calendar
The Ashes: Australia v England
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
