Pat Cummins has taken 309 wickets in 71 five-day games with an average of 22.10.
The Australian selection chief George Bailey has declared that captain Pat Cummins will play a "major part" in this winter's Ashes series.
Speculation had been growing that the veteran bowler might sit out due to a persistent back stress problem that remained unresolved.
Earlier indications from team management suggested no definitive call had been made regarding his involvement, with the Test matches scheduled to begin on November 21 in the WACA.
He revealed that the captain is progressing and felt positive about the prospects of taking part.
"We know that the window is narrowing and various factors at play, aside from his injury, but other factors as well," he commented.
"We're encouraged. We firmly believe that he's going to play a key capacity. Hopefully from the opening match. If not, we'll adjust."
Previous Setbacks
He was sidelined Australia's limited-overs series against New Zealand and India recently after examinations confirmed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of spinal problems, with setbacks in several earlier campaigns causing him to miss multiple domestic campaigns in four years.
He emphasized he would be bold in recovery efforts in his comeback strategy to make the squad for the Ashes.
He mentioned that it was unclear if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his rehabilitation but conceded it was "getting tight" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Alternative Arrangements
In case of absence, former captain Steve Smith will assume leadership.
The talented all-rounder was excluded lately from Australia's squad for their limited-overs matches against the subcontinent side as a safety move because of discomfort in his torso.
He labeled it as a "slight concern and confirmed that he'll feature in the state-level matches, so will be "in a good place to be ready to bowl."
"We put so much time has gone into developing the strategy for him to take part for the opening match as an all-rounder," Bailey explained.
"He was only going to play the starting games regardless. How he handles the bat in limited-overs, should it hinder progress for another day, the choice was made to approach this more conservatively."
Match Calendar
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
