Pat Cummins has secured 309 wickets in 71 Test matches with an impressive average.
The Australian selection chief Bailey has stated that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in the forthcoming Ashes series.
Speculation had been growing that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a stress fracture in his back that remained unresolved.
Earlier indications from team management suggested no final decision had been made regarding whether he would play, with the five-Test series 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 prospects of taking part.
"We know that the clock is ticking and there are permutations around that, not just the physical problem, but other factors as well," the selector added.
"We're encouraged. We firmly believe that he's going to play a major part. Ideally it's the first Test. Otherwise, we'll adjust."
Previous Setbacks
He was sidelined Australia's limited-overs series against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals recently after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of back injuries, with recurrences in multiple past seasons causing him to miss multiple domestic campaigns in four years.
Cummins stated he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his comeback strategy to ensure his availability for the series.
The selector indicated that there was no confirmation if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his comeback but conceded it was "pressing" for him to regain fitness for the opener.
Backup Options
If he's unavailable, veteran batsman Smith will lead the side.
Versatile player Green was withdrawn recently from Australia's squad for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of an abdominal issue.
The selector characterized it as a "small issue and mentioned that he's scheduled to appear in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to deliver overs."
"We put so much time has gone into creating the schedule for him to be available for the initial game as an batting and bowling option," he elaborated.
"He was only going to play the first two ODIs in any case. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, if it causes any delay for 24 more hours, we opted to adopt a safer strategy."
Match Calendar
The Historic Rivalry
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
