Pat Cummins has taken 309 wickets in 71 appearances with an average of 22.10.
Australia's chair of selectors George Bailey has stated that pace spearhead Cummins will play a "major part" in this winter's England-Australia contest.
Speculation had been growing that the veteran bowler might sit out due to a ongoing back issue that had not yet healed.
Previous updates from team management suggested no official announcement had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the extended contest scheduled to begin on 21 November in the WACA.
Bailey expressed that the captain is progressing and felt positive about the likelihood of taking part.
"We know that the window is narrowing and various factors around that, not just the back issue, but further aspects," Bailey remarked.
"It's positive. [We are] really confident that he will feature a significant role. Hopefully from the opening match. Should that not happen, we'll reassess."
Past Concerns
Cummins was ruled out the ODI and T20 games against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals last month after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.
Previous incidents include of recurring issues, with setbacks in multiple past seasons leading to absences from multiple domestic campaigns in a short span.
The bowler mentioned he would be proactive in his approach in his comeback strategy to ensure his availability for the contest.
The selector indicated that there was no confirmation if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his comeback but admitted it was "becoming urgent" for him to be fit for the first Test.
Alternative Arrangements
Should Cummins not be fit, ex-skipper Smith will lead the side.
The talented all-rounder was recently pulled out from the ODI lineup for their limited-overs matches against the Asian giants as a precautionary measure because of an abdominal issue.
Bailey described it as a "slight concern and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "ideally positioned to deliver overs."
"Extensive planning has gone into creating the schedule for him to be available for the initial game as an all-rounder," Bailey explained.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the initial matches in any case. How he handles the bat in limited-overs, even if it just sets him back for a short period, the choice was made to approach this more conservatively."
Match Calendar
The Ashes: Australia v England
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
