Pat Cummins has claimed over 300 dismissals in 71 Test matches with an impressive average.
The Australian chief selector George Bailey has stated that pace spearhead Cummins will be a central figure in the upcoming England-Australia contest.
Rumors had circulated that the veteran bowler might miss the series due to a stress fracture in his back that remained unresolved.
Initial reports from the squad suggested no final decision had been made regarding whether he would play, with the extended contest set to start on November 21 in Perth.
Bailey expressed that his recovery is on track and remained hopeful about the prospects of participating.
"It's clear that the clock is ticking and there are permutations involved, aside from the back issue, but additional elements," Bailey remarked.
"We're encouraged. There's strong faith that he's going to play a significant role. With luck from the opening match. Otherwise, we'll reassess."
Injury History
The captain missed the ODI and T20 games against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals recently after medical tests showed a lower back issue.
He has a history of back injuries, with setbacks in multiple past seasons forcing him out of several home seasons in four years.
The bowler mentioned he would be proactive in his approach in his recovery plan to secure his spot for the series.
He mentioned that there was no confirmation if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his rehabilitation but admitted it was "becoming urgent" for him to be fit for the opener.
Contingency Plans
In case of absence, former captain Steve Smith will lead the side.
All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from Australia's squad for their one-day international series against the Asian giants as a safety move because of soreness in his side.
He labeled it as a "slight concern and mentioned that Green will play in the state-level matches, so will be "ideally positioned to resume bowling."
"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to be available for the opening match as an dual-role player," Bailey explained.
"He was only going to play the starting games anyway. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for another day, 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
