Pat Cummins has taken over 300 dismissals in 71 Test matches with an average of 22.10.
Australia's chair of selectors George Bailey has declared that captain Pat Cummins will play a "major part" in the forthcoming historic rivalry.
Rumors had circulated that the veteran bowler might be unavailable due to a persistent back stress problem that remained unresolved.
Earlier indications from the squad suggested no final decision had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the extended contest kicking off on November 21 in the WACA.
He revealed that Cummins is "building up" and was "optimistic" about the likelihood of taking part.
"It's clear that the window is narrowing and multiple considerations at play, not just his injury, but additional elements," Bailey remarked.
"We're encouraged. We firmly believe that he will feature a major part. Ideally from the opening match. If not, then we'll pick it up."
Injury History
The captain missed Australia's limited-overs series against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals in the previous weeks after scans revealed a lumbar bone stress.
There is a track record of back injuries, with recurrences in several earlier campaigns forcing him out of three Australian summers in a short span.
Cummins stated he would be proactive in his approach in his recovery plan to ensure his availability for the contest.
He mentioned that there was no confirmation if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his comeback but admitted it was "pressing" for him to recover fully for the opener.
Alternative Arrangements
Should Cummins not be fit, former captain Steve Smith will assume leadership.
All-rounder Cameron Green was recently pulled out from the national team for their ODI contests against the subcontinent side as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.
He labeled it as a "small issue and mentioned that he's scheduled to appear in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "in a good place to resume bowling."
"Considerable effort has gone into creating the schedule for him to be available for the first Test as an dual-role player," he elaborated.
"He was only going to play the first two ODIs anyway. His aggressive style the bat in limited-overs, should it hinder progress for a short period, the choice was made to approach this more conservatively."
Fixture Details
The Ashes: Australia v England
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
