Pat Cummins has claimed 309 Test scalps in 71 Test matches with an average of 22.10.
The Australian chair of selectors the selector has stated that captain Pat Cummins will be a central figure in the upcoming Ashes series.
There were concerns that the veteran bowler might miss the series due to a stress fracture in his back that had not yet healed.
Previous updates from the Australian camp suggested no final decision had been made regarding his involvement, with the Test matches scheduled to begin on the 21st of November in Perth.
Bailey expressed that the captain is progressing and felt positive about the prospects of being involved.
"We're aware that time is getting short and various factors at play, aside from the back issue, but further aspects," he commented.
"We're encouraged. [We are] really confident that he's going to play a major part. Hopefully it's the first Test. Otherwise, then we'll pick it up."
Previous Setbacks
He was sidelined Australia's limited-overs series against New Zealand and India in the previous weeks after scans revealed a lumbar bone stress.
He has a history of recurring issues, with recurrences in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 causing him to miss several home seasons in a short span.
The bowler mentioned he would be bold in recovery efforts in his comeback strategy to make the squad for the contest.
He mentioned that there was no confirmation if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his recovery but conceded it was "becoming urgent" for him to regain fitness for the first Test.
Contingency Plans
Should Cummins not be fit, veteran batsman Smith will assume leadership.
Versatile player Green was excluded lately from the national team for their limited-overs matches against the Asian giants as a preventive step because of soreness in his side.
The selector characterized it as a "minor" injury and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the state-level matches, so will be "ideally positioned to resume bowling."
"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to take part for the first Test as an dual-role player," he elaborated.
"He was only going to play the starting games anyway. The way he swings the willow in shorter formats, should it hinder progress for a short period, we opted to take a cautious route."
Series Schedule
Australia vs England: The Ashes
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
