Pat Cummins has claimed 309 Test scalps in 71 Test matches with an impressive average.
The Australian chair of selectors George Bailey has stated that captain Pat Cummins will be a central figure in the forthcoming historic rivalry.
Speculation had been growing that Cummins might miss the series due to a ongoing back issue that remained unresolved.
Earlier indications from the squad suggested no official announcement had been made regarding whether he would play, with the extended contest kicking off on November 21 in Western Australia.
He revealed that Cummins is "building up" and remained hopeful about his chances of taking part.
"It's clear that time is getting short and various factors around that, not only the physical problem, but further aspects," the selector added.
"The outlook is good. We firmly believe that he'll participate in a significant role. Ideally from the opening match. Should that not happen, we'll reassess."
Injury History
He was sidelined the ODI and T20 games against India and New Zealand last month after examinations confirmed a lumbar bone stress.
He has a history of spinal problems, with flare-ups in multiple past seasons forcing him out of several home seasons in a limited period.
Cummins stated he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his rehabilitation process to secure his spot for the Ashes.
He mentioned that he did not know if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his rehabilitation but conceded it was "getting tight" for him to recover fully for the opener.
Contingency Plans
If he's unavailable, ex-skipper Smith will take over the captaincy.
All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from the national team for their limited-overs matches against the Asian giants as a preventive step because of an abdominal issue.
The selector characterized it as a "small issue and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to resume bowling."
"Extensive planning has gone into building out the plan for him to participate for the first Test as an all-rounder," the selector detailed.
"His involvement was limited to the initial matches regardless. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, even if it just sets him back for a short period, we opted to approach this more conservatively."
Match Calendar
The Ashes: Australia v England
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
