The fast bowler Poised for a Major Role in Iconic Rivalry
Pat Cummins has taken 309 wickets in 71 five-day games with an impressive average.
The Australian chair of selectors Bailey has confirmed that skipper Cummins will play a "major part" in the upcoming historic rivalry.
Rumors had circulated that Cummins might miss the series due to a ongoing back issue that had not yet healed.
Initial reports from the squad suggested no final decision had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the extended contest kicking off on November 21 in Perth.
The selector shared that the captain is progressing and remained hopeful about the likelihood of being involved.
"We know that the window is narrowing and various factors involved, aside from his injury, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.
"We're encouraged. [We are] really confident that he's going to play a significant role. Ideally it's the first Test. Otherwise, we'll reassess."
Previous Setbacks
The captain missed the white-ball matches against New Zealand and India recently after examinations confirmed a lumbar bone stress.
He has a history of back injuries, with flare-ups in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 causing him to miss several home seasons in a limited period.
Cummins stated he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his recovery plan to ensure his availability for the Ashes.
The selector indicated that there was no confirmation if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his recovery but admitted it was "pressing" for him to regain fitness for the initial match.
Contingency Plans
If he's unavailable, veteran batsman Smith will take over the captaincy.
Versatile player Green was recently pulled out from the national team for their ODI contests against India as a safety move because of discomfort in his torso.
The selector characterized it as a "minor" injury and confirmed that he'll feature in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "ideally positioned to resume bowling."
"Considerable effort has gone into creating the schedule for him to be available for the initial game as an batting and bowling option," he elaborated.
"His involvement was limited to the first two ODIs regardless. The way he swings the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, if it causes any delay for 24 more hours, the choice was made to take a cautious route."
Match Calendar
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
