Pat Cummins has taken over 300 dismissals in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
The Australian selection chief the selector has declared that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in the upcoming Ashes series.
Rumors had circulated that Cummins might miss the series due to a ongoing back issue that had not yet healed.
Previous updates from the squad suggested no official announcement had been made regarding whether he would play, with the five-Test series scheduled to begin on 21 November in the WACA.
He revealed that his recovery is on track and was "optimistic" about the likelihood of taking part.
"It's clear that the window is narrowing and various factors around that, not just the physical problem, but further aspects," the selector added.
"The outlook is good. [We are] really confident that he will feature a significant role. Hopefully starting in Perth. Should that not happen, we'll reassess."
Injury History
The captain missed the white-ball matches against New Zealand and India recently after scans revealed a lumbar bone stress.
He has a history of spinal problems, with recurrences in multiple past seasons causing him to miss multiple domestic campaigns in four years.
He emphasized he would be proactive in his approach in his recovery plan to secure his spot for the contest.
He mentioned that there was no confirmation if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his comeback but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to be fit for the first Test.
Contingency Plans
In case of absence, former captain Steve Smith will take over the captaincy.
All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from the ODI lineup for their limited-overs matches against India as a safety move because of an abdominal issue.
He labeled it as a "minor" injury and mentioned that he's scheduled to appear in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "well-prepared to resume bowling."
"We put so much time has gone into creating the schedule for him to participate for the first Test as an dual-role player," he elaborated.
"His involvement was limited to the first two ODIs regardless. The way he swings the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for another day, we opted to adopt a safer strategy."
Series Schedule
The Ashes: Australia v England
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
