Pat Cummins has taken 309 Test scalps in 71 Test matches with an impressive average.
The Australian chief selector George Bailey has confirmed that skipper Cummins will be a central figure in the forthcoming England-Australia contest.
There were concerns that Cummins might be unavailable due to a persistent back stress problem that had not yet healed.
Previous updates from the squad suggested no official announcement had been made regarding his involvement, with the five-Test series kicking off on November 21 in the WACA.
The selector shared that the captain is progressing and felt positive about the likelihood of participating.
"We're aware that the clock is ticking and multiple considerations at play, not just his injury, but other factors as well," he commented.
"The outlook is good. [We are] really confident that he's going to play a significant role. Hopefully starting in Perth. Should that not happen, we'll adjust."
Injury History
The captain missed the ODI and T20 games against New Zealand and India last month after scans revealed a lumbar bone stress.
Previous incidents include of back injuries, with setbacks in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 forcing him out of multiple domestic campaigns in four years.
The bowler mentioned he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" 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 rehabilitation but acknowledged it was "becoming urgent" for him to be fit for the first Test.
Backup Options
Should Cummins not be fit, veteran batsman Smith will lead the side.
All-rounder Cameron Green was recently pulled out from the ODI lineup for their ODI contests against India as a preventive step because of an abdominal issue.
The selector characterized it as a "small issue and confirmed that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to resume bowling."
"Considerable effort has gone into creating the schedule for him to participate for the opening match as an dual-role player," the selector detailed.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the first two ODIs anyway. The way he swings the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, should it hinder progress for 24 more hours, we just made the decision to approach this more conservatively."
Fixture Details
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
