Pat Cummins has claimed over 300 dismissals in 71 Test matches with an impressive average.
The Australian chair of selectors the selector has stated that captain Pat Cummins will be a central figure in the forthcoming England-Australia contest.
There were concerns that the veteran bowler might be unavailable due to a persistent back stress problem that had not yet healed.
Earlier indications from the Australian camp suggested no definitive call had been made regarding whether he would play, with the extended contest set to start on the 21st of November in Western Australia.
Bailey expressed that Cummins is "building up" and remained hopeful about the likelihood of participating.
"We know that the clock is ticking and multiple considerations at play, not just his injury, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.
"We're encouraged. [We are] really confident that he'll participate in a significant role. Hopefully starting in Perth. Should that not happen, then we'll pick it up."
Previous Setbacks
Cummins was ruled out the ODI and T20 games against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals in the previous weeks after scans revealed a lower back issue.
There is a track record of spinal problems, with flare-ups in several earlier campaigns leading to absences from several home seasons in a short span.
Cummins stated he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his recovery plan to secure his spot for the series.
The selector indicated that it was unclear if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his comeback but conceded it was "pressing" for him to regain fitness for the opener.
Contingency Plans
In case of absence, veteran batsman Smith will assume leadership.
Versatile player Green was withdrawn recently from the ODI lineup for their ODI contests against the Asian giants as a precautionary measure because of soreness in his side.
He labeled it as a "slight concern and mentioned that he's scheduled to appear in the state-level matches, so will be "well-prepared to be ready to bowl."
"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to take part for the opening match as an batting and bowling option," he elaborated.
"His involvement was limited to the starting games in any case. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, if it causes any delay for 24 more hours, we opted to take a cautious route."
Series Schedule
Australia vs England: The Ashes
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
