Pat Cummins has taken 309 wickets in 71 Test matches with an impressive average.
Australia's chief selector George Bailey has declared that pace spearhead Cummins will have a crucial role in the upcoming Ashes series.
There were concerns that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a stress fracture in his back that remained unresolved.
Initial reports from the squad suggested no definitive call had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the Test matches set to start on November 21 in Perth.
Bailey expressed that Cummins is "building up" and felt positive about the prospects of participating.
"It's clear that the window is narrowing and there are permutations involved, not just the back issue, but further aspects," the selector added.
"We're encouraged. We firmly believe that he will feature a major part. Hopefully starting in Perth. Should that not happen, we'll reassess."
Injury History
The captain missed the white-ball matches against New Zealand and India last month after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.
Previous incidents include of spinal problems, with setbacks in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 causing him to miss three Australian summers in a limited period.
He emphasized he would be proactive in his approach in his rehabilitation process to ensure his availability for the Ashes.
He mentioned that it was unclear if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his comeback but admitted it was "pressing" for him to regain fitness for the first Test.
Contingency Plans
In case of absence, veteran batsman Smith will lead the side.
All-rounder Cameron Green was recently pulled out from the national team for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.
The selector characterized it as a "slight concern and mentioned that Green will play in the state-level matches, so will be "well-prepared to deliver overs."
"Considerable effort has gone into building out the plan for him to take part for the opening match as an batting and bowling option," he elaborated.
"His involvement was limited to the starting games in any case. His aggressive style the bat in limited-overs, should it hinder progress for another day, the choice was made to take a cautious route."
Match Calendar
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
