Australia's captain Set to Play a Significant Contribution in Ashes Series
The Australian skipper has taken over 300 dismissals in 71 five-day games with an stellar bowling average.
The Australian chief selector George Bailey has confirmed that pace spearhead Cummins will have a crucial role in the forthcoming England-Australia contest.
There were concerns that the veteran bowler might miss the series due to a persistent back stress problem that had not yet healed.
Earlier indications from the Australian camp suggested no definitive call had been made regarding whether he would play, with the extended contest set to start on November 21 in Perth.
The selector shared that his recovery is on track and was "optimistic" about his chances of taking part.
"It's clear that the window is narrowing and there are permutations at play, not only the physical problem, but additional elements," Bailey remarked.
"The outlook is good. [We are] really confident that he will feature a major part. With luck from the opening match. If not, we'll adjust."
Injury History
The captain missed the ODI and T20 games against New Zealand and India recently after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of back injuries, with setbacks in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 leading to absences from multiple domestic campaigns in a limited period.
The bowler mentioned he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his recovery plan to secure his spot for the contest.
The selector indicated that he did not know if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his comeback but admitted it was "pressing" for him to be fit for the opener.
Contingency Plans
If he's unavailable, ex-skipper Smith will lead the side.
Versatile player Green was excluded lately from the ODI lineup for their one-day international series against the Asian giants as a safety move because of discomfort in his torso.
Bailey described it as a "minor" injury and confirmed that Green will play in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "ideally positioned to be ready to bowl."
"Considerable effort has gone into developing the strategy for him to be available for the initial game as an all-rounder," the selector detailed.
"His involvement was limited to the first two ODIs anyway. His aggressive style the willow in shorter formats, if it causes any delay for 24 more hours, the choice was made to take a cautious route."
Fixture Details
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026