Pat Cummins has taken over 300 dismissals in 71 appearances with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's chief selector Bailey has stated that captain Pat Cummins will play a "major part" in the upcoming Ashes series.
There were concerns that Cummins might sit out due to a stress fracture in his back that remained unresolved.
Earlier indications from the Australian camp suggested no definitive call had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the Test matches scheduled to begin on 21 November in Perth.
The selector shared that the captain is progressing and was "optimistic" about the prospects of taking part.
"We're aware that the clock is ticking and various factors at play, not just his injury, but other factors as well," the selector added.
"The outlook is good. [We are] really confident that he'll participate in a significant role. With luck it's the first Test. If not, we'll reassess."
Past Concerns
The captain missed Australia's limited-overs series against India and New Zealand in the previous weeks after examinations confirmed a lower back issue.
He has a history of recurring issues, with flare-ups in several earlier campaigns causing him to miss three Australian summers in four years.
Cummins stated he would be bold in recovery efforts 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 comeback but acknowledged it was "getting tight" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Alternative Arrangements
Should Cummins not be fit, veteran batsman Smith will take over the captaincy.
Versatile player Green was excluded lately from the national team for their ODI contests against the Asian giants as a safety move because of discomfort in his torso.
The selector characterized it as a "small issue and mentioned that he's scheduled to appear in the state-level matches, so will be "well-prepared to be ready to bowl."
"Extensive planning has gone into building out the plan for him to take part for the initial game as an all-rounder," the selector detailed.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the initial matches in any case. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, if it causes any delay for another day, the choice was made to approach this more conservatively."
Match Calendar
The Historic Rivalry
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
