Pat Cummins has claimed 309 wickets in 71 Test matches with an impressive average.
Australia's selection chief George Bailey has declared that captain Pat Cummins will play a "major part" in the forthcoming historic rivalry.
Speculation had been growing that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a persistent back stress problem that was still troubling him.
Previous updates from team management suggested no definitive call had been made regarding whether he would play, with the extended contest set to start on November 21 in Western Australia.
He revealed that Cummins is "building up" and felt positive about the likelihood of participating.
"We're aware that the window is narrowing and multiple considerations around that, aside from the physical problem, but other factors as well," he commented.
"The outlook is good. [We are] really confident that he will feature a major part. With luck it's the first Test. Should that not happen, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
The captain missed Australia's limited-overs series against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals recently after scans revealed a lumbar bone stress.
There is a track record of spinal problems, with flare-ups in multiple past seasons causing him to miss three Australian summers in a short span.
Cummins stated he would be proactive in his approach in his comeback strategy to ensure his availability for the series.
He mentioned that it was unclear if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his rehabilitation but conceded it was "pressing" for him to be fit for the opener.
Backup Options
In case of absence, ex-skipper Smith will take over the captaincy.
All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from Australia's squad for their ODI contests against India as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.
The selector characterized it as a "slight concern and stated that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "in a good place to resume bowling."
"Considerable effort has gone into developing the strategy for him to take part for the opening match as an all-rounder," he elaborated.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the first two ODIs in any case. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, should it hinder progress for a short period, the choice was made to approach this more conservatively."
Fixture Details
The Ashes: Australia v England
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
