Pat Cummins has claimed over 300 dismissals in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's chair of selectors the selector has stated that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in the forthcoming historic rivalry.
Rumors had circulated that Cummins might miss the series due to a persistent back stress problem that was still troubling him.
Earlier indications from the squad suggested no final decision had been made regarding his involvement, with the five-Test series set to start on the 21st of November in Perth.
The selector shared that the captain is progressing and remained hopeful about the likelihood of being involved.
"It's clear that time is getting short and various factors around that, aside from the physical problem, but additional elements," the selector added.
"The outlook is good. We firmly believe that he will feature a major part. With luck starting in Perth. If not, we'll adjust."
Injury History
The captain missed the ODI and T20 games against New Zealand and India recently after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.
Previous incidents include of spinal problems, with setbacks in several earlier campaigns causing him to miss three Australian summers in a limited period.
Cummins stated he would be proactive in his approach in his recovery plan to secure his spot for the series.
The selector indicated that he did not know if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his rehabilitation but conceded it was "getting tight" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Contingency Plans
If he's unavailable, veteran batsman Smith will lead the side.
The talented all-rounder was excluded lately from Australia's squad for their one-day international series against India as a preventive step because of an abdominal issue.
The selector characterized it as a "slight concern and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "ideally positioned to be ready to bowl."
"Extensive planning has gone into creating the schedule for him to take part for the first Test as an all-rounder," he elaborated.
"He was only going to play the starting games regardless. His aggressive style the willow in shorter formats, if it causes any delay for a short period, we just made the decision to take a cautious route."
Match Calendar
Australia vs England: The Ashes
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
