Pat Cummins has claimed over 300 dismissals in 71 appearances with an average of 22.10.
Australia's chief selector Bailey has declared that captain Pat Cummins will play a "major part" in the forthcoming historic rivalry.
Rumors had circulated that Cummins might miss the series due to a ongoing back issue that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from the squad suggested no official announcement had been made regarding whether he would play, with the five-Test series scheduled to begin on the 21st of November in the WACA.
The selector shared that the captain is progressing and was "optimistic" about his chances of being involved.
"It's clear that time is getting short and various factors around that, aside from the back issue, but additional elements," the selector added.
"It's positive. We firmly believe that he will feature a major part. Ideally from the opening match. If not, we'll reassess."
Past Concerns
He was sidelined the white-ball matches against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals in the previous weeks after scans revealed a lower back issue.
There is a track record of spinal problems, with setbacks in multiple past seasons causing him to miss three Australian summers in a short span.
Cummins stated he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his comeback strategy to ensure his availability for the contest.
The selector indicated that he did not know if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his rehabilitation but acknowledged it was "getting tight" for him to be fit for the opener.
Backup Options
In case of absence, ex-skipper Smith will take over the captaincy.
The talented all-rounder was withdrawn recently from the ODI lineup for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a safety move because of discomfort in his torso.
The selector characterized it as a "slight concern and confirmed that he'll feature in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "well-prepared to be ready to bowl."
"Extensive planning has gone into creating the schedule for him to be available for the initial game as an batting and bowling option," Bailey explained.
"His involvement was limited to the initial matches regardless. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, even if it just sets him back for 24 more hours, the choice was made to approach this more conservatively."
Match Calendar
The Ashes: Australia v England
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
