Pat Cummins Expected to Feature a Key Part in the Ashes
The pace bowler has claimed over 300 dismissals in 71 five-day games with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's selection chief the selector has declared that skipper Cummins will play a "major part" in the forthcoming England-Australia contest.
There were concerns that the veteran bowler might be unavailable due to a stress fracture in his back that had not yet healed.
Earlier indications from the Australian camp suggested no official announcement had been made regarding whether he would play, with the Test matches scheduled to begin on November 21 in the WACA.
Bailey expressed that his recovery is on track and felt positive about his chances of being involved.
"We know that the clock is ticking and there are permutations involved, aside from the back issue, but further aspects," Bailey remarked.
"The outlook is good. [We are] really confident that he's going to play a significant role. With luck from the opening match. Should that not happen, then we'll pick it up."
Past Concerns
He was sidelined Australia's limited-overs series against India and New Zealand in the previous weeks after examinations confirmed a lumbar bone stress.
Previous incidents include of recurring issues, with setbacks in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 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 secure his spot for the series.
He mentioned that he did not know if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his rehabilitation but conceded it was "pressing" for him to regain fitness for the first Test.
Alternative Arrangements
Should Cummins not be fit, ex-skipper Smith will lead the side.
Versatile player Green was recently pulled out from Australia's squad for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of soreness in his side.
The selector characterized it as a "slight concern and confirmed that Green will play 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 be available for the initial game as an all-rounder," Bailey explained.
"He was only going to play the starting games anyway. The way he swings the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for a short period, we opted to adopt a safer strategy."
Fixture Details
Australia vs England: The Ashes
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
