Pat Cummins has taken 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an impressive average.
Australia's selection chief the selector has stated that pace spearhead Cummins will have a crucial role in the upcoming England-Australia contest.
Rumors had circulated that the veteran bowler might be unavailable due to a ongoing back issue that was still troubling him.
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 November 21 in Perth.
He revealed that Cummins is "building up" and felt positive about the prospects of taking part.
"We know that time is getting short and there are permutations at play, not just the physical problem, but other factors as well," he commented.
"It's positive. We firmly believe that he's going to play a key capacity. With luck starting in Perth. Otherwise, we'll reassess."
Past Concerns
Cummins was ruled out Australia's limited-overs series against New Zealand and India recently after scans revealed a lumbar bone stress.
There is a track record of spinal problems, with setbacks in several earlier campaigns leading to absences from multiple domestic campaigns in a limited period.
He emphasized he would be proactive in his approach in his comeback strategy to ensure his availability for the series.
He mentioned that there was no confirmation if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his recovery but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to be fit for the first Test.
Alternative Arrangements
Should Cummins not be fit, former captain Steve Smith will assume leadership.
All-rounder Cameron Green was excluded lately from the ODI lineup for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a safety move because of an abdominal issue.
The selector characterized it as a "small issue and confirmed that Green will play in the state-level matches, so will be "in a good place to resume bowling."
"We put so much time has gone into creating the schedule for him to participate for the initial game as an all-rounder," Bailey explained.
"His involvement was limited to the initial matches regardless. His aggressive style the willow in shorter formats, should it hinder progress for another day, we opted to take a cautious route."
Match Calendar
The Ashes: Australia v England
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
