Pat Cummins has secured 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an impressive average.
The Australian chair of selectors George Bailey has confirmed that skipper Cummins will be a central figure in the upcoming Ashes series.
Rumors had circulated that Cummins might miss the series due to a persistent back stress problem that was still troubling him.
Earlier indications from team management suggested no definitive call had been made regarding whether he would play, with the Test matches scheduled to begin on 21 November in Western Australia.
The selector shared that his recovery is on track and felt positive about the likelihood of taking part.
"We know that time is getting short and multiple considerations at play, not only his injury, but further aspects," Bailey remarked.
"It's positive. We firmly believe that he's going to play a major part. With luck it's the first Test. If not, we'll reassess."
Previous Setbacks
The captain missed the ODI and T20 games against India and New Zealand in the previous weeks after medical tests showed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of recurring issues, with recurrences in multiple past seasons leading to absences from multiple domestic campaigns in a short span.
The bowler mentioned he would be proactive in his approach in his rehabilitation process to ensure his availability for the series.
Bailey noted that there was no confirmation if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his comeback but acknowledged it was "getting tight" for him to be fit for the first Test.
Contingency Plans
In case of absence, veteran batsman Smith will lead the side.
All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from the ODI lineup for their one-day international series against India as a precautionary measure because of soreness in his side.
Bailey described it as a "minor" injury and mentioned that he'll feature in the state-level matches, so will be "ideally positioned to deliver overs."
"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to participate for the first Test as an batting and bowling option," Bailey explained.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the starting games in any case. How he handles the bat in limited-overs, if it causes any delay 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
