Pat Cummins has claimed over 300 dismissals in 71 five-day games with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's chair of selectors George Bailey has stated that skipper Cummins will have a crucial role in this winter's Ashes series.
There were concerns that the 32-year-old might be unavailable due to a persistent back stress problem that was still troubling him.
Initial reports from the Australian camp suggested no definitive call had been made regarding whether he would play, with the five-Test series kicking off on the 21st of November in the WACA.
The selector shared that his recovery is on track and felt positive about his chances of participating.
"We know that time is getting short and various factors at play, aside from the physical problem, but further aspects," he commented.
"We're encouraged. There's strong faith that he will feature a key capacity. With luck it's the first Test. If not, we'll reassess."
Injury History
He was sidelined the white-ball matches against New Zealand and India last month after medical tests showed a lumbar bone stress.
There is a track record of back injuries, with setbacks in multiple past seasons leading to absences from multiple domestic campaigns in four years.
Cummins stated he would be bold in recovery efforts in his recovery plan to ensure his availability for the series.
Bailey noted that he did not know if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his recovery but acknowledged it was "getting tight" for him to regain fitness for the first Test.
Alternative Arrangements
Should Cummins not be fit, former captain Steve Smith will assume leadership.
The talented all-rounder was excluded lately from Australia's squad for their limited-overs matches against the Asian giants as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.
Bailey described it as a "minor" injury and stated that Green will play in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "ideally positioned to deliver overs."
"Extensive planning has gone into creating the schedule for him to participate for the first Test as an all-rounder," Bailey explained.
"His involvement was limited to the initial matches in any case. How he handles the willow in shorter formats, should it hinder progress for 24 more hours, we just made the decision to adopt a safer strategy."
Match Calendar
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
