Pat Cummins has taken over 300 dismissals in 71 appearances with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's chief selector the selector has confirmed that captain Pat Cummins will be a central figure in the forthcoming Ashes series.
There were concerns that Cummins might miss the series due to a ongoing back issue that had not yet healed.
Initial reports from team management suggested no official announcement had been made regarding whether he would play, with the extended contest set to start on 21 November in Western Australia.
The selector shared that the captain is progressing and remained hopeful about the likelihood of taking part.
"We know that time is getting short and various factors at play, aside from the back issue, but other factors as well," the selector added.
"The outlook is good. We firmly believe that he'll participate in a key capacity. Ideally starting in Perth. Otherwise, we'll adjust."
Previous Setbacks
The captain missed the white-ball matches against New Zealand and India in the previous weeks after scans revealed a lumbar bone stress.
There is a track record of recurring issues, with recurrences in several earlier campaigns forcing him out of multiple domestic campaigns in a short span.
He emphasized he would be proactive in his approach in his comeback strategy to secure his spot for the Ashes.
The selector indicated that there was no confirmation if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his recovery but conceded it was "getting tight" for him to be fit for the first Test.
Contingency Plans
If he's unavailable, ex-skipper Smith will take over the captaincy.
All-rounder Cameron Green was recently pulled out from Australia's squad for their limited-overs matches against India as a precautionary measure because of an abdominal issue.
The selector characterized it as a "minor" injury and mentioned that Green will play in the state-level matches, so will be "well-prepared to be ready to bowl."
"Considerable effort has gone into creating the schedule for him to be available for the opening match as an dual-role player," he elaborated.
"He was only going to play the initial matches in any case. The way he swings the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for another day, we opted to approach this more conservatively."
Fixture Details
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
