Pat Cummins has secured over 300 dismissals in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
The Australian chair of selectors Bailey has confirmed that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in the upcoming Ashes series.
Speculation had been growing that Cummins might miss the series due to a persistent back stress problem that remained unresolved.
Initial reports from the Australian camp suggested no final decision had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the extended contest set to start on the 21st of November in the WACA.
The selector shared that his recovery is on track and was "optimistic" about the likelihood of taking part.
"We know that time is getting short and there are permutations at play, not just his injury, but additional elements," he commented.
"It's positive. We firmly believe that he will feature a major part. With luck it's the first Test. Should that not happen, we'll reassess."
Past Concerns
The captain missed the white-ball matches against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals last month after examinations confirmed a stress reaction in his back.
There is a track record of spinal problems, with flare-ups in multiple past seasons leading to absences from three Australian summers in a short span.
The bowler mentioned he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his recovery plan to ensure his availability for the Ashes.
Bailey noted that it was unclear if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his rehabilitation but admitted it was "becoming urgent" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Contingency Plans
In case of absence, veteran batsman Smith will assume leadership.
The talented all-rounder was withdrawn recently from Australia's squad for their one-day international series against the Asian giants as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.
He labeled it as a "slight concern and confirmed that he's scheduled to appear in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "ideally positioned to resume bowling."
"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to participate for the initial game as an dual-role player," the selector detailed.
"His involvement was limited to the first two ODIs anyway. The way he swings the willow in shorter formats, if it causes any delay for a short period, we opted to adopt a safer strategy."
Series Schedule
Australia vs England: The Ashes
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
