Pat Cummins has claimed over 300 dismissals in 71 five-day games with an average of 22.10.
Australia's chair of selectors George Bailey has confirmed that pace spearhead Cummins will be a central figure in the forthcoming England-Australia contest.
Speculation had been growing that Cummins might be unavailable due to a ongoing back issue that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from the squad suggested no definitive call had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the extended contest set to start on the 21st of November in the WACA.
He revealed that Cummins is "building up" and felt positive about the likelihood of participating.
"We know that time is getting short and there are permutations involved, not only the physical problem, but further aspects," the selector added.
"We're encouraged. We firmly believe that he's going to play a key capacity. With luck it's the first Test. If not, then we'll pick it up."
Previous Setbacks
He was sidelined the ODI and T20 games against New Zealand and India in the previous weeks after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.
There is a track record of back injuries, with flare-ups in multiple past seasons forcing him out of multiple domestic campaigns in a short span.
He emphasized he would be bold in recovery efforts in his recovery plan to make the squad for the Ashes.
The selector indicated that he did not know if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his rehabilitation but conceded it was "getting tight" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Alternative Arrangements
In case of absence, ex-skipper Smith will assume leadership.
All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from Australia's squad for their ODI contests against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of discomfort in his torso.
He labeled it as a "minor" injury and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "in a good place to be ready to bowl."
"We put so much time has gone into building out the plan for him to participate for the first Test as an all-rounder," Bailey explained.
"He was only going to play the initial matches in any case. His aggressive style the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for another day, we just made the decision to approach this more conservatively."
Series Schedule
The Historic Rivalry
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
