Pat Cummins has claimed 309 wickets in 71 appearances with an impressive average.
Australia's selection chief the selector has confirmed that pace spearhead Cummins will have a crucial role in the forthcoming Ashes series.
Speculation had been growing that the 32-year-old might miss the series due to a persistent back stress problem that had not yet healed.
Earlier indications from team management suggested no official announcement had been made regarding whether he would play, with the extended contest set to start on 21 November in the WACA.
He revealed that Cummins is "building up" and felt positive about the likelihood of taking part.
"We know that the clock is ticking and multiple considerations around that, not only the back issue, but other factors as well," he commented.
"It's positive. There's strong faith that he's going to play a key capacity. With luck it's the first Test. Otherwise, we'll adjust."
Previous Setbacks
He was sidelined the white-ball matches against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals last month after medical tests showed a lumbar bone stress.
Previous incidents include of back injuries, with flare-ups in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 causing him to miss several home seasons in a limited period.
He emphasized he would be bold in recovery efforts in his comeback strategy to ensure his availability for the series.
The selector indicated that he did not know if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his rehabilitation but conceded it was "becoming urgent" for him to be fit for the initial match.
Contingency Plans
Should Cummins not be fit, former captain Steve Smith will assume leadership.
The talented all-rounder was recently pulled out from the ODI lineup for their limited-overs matches against the subcontinent side as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.
The selector characterized it as a "slight concern and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the state-level matches, so will be "well-prepared to resume bowling."
"Considerable effort has gone into developing the strategy for him to be available for the first Test as an batting and bowling option," Bailey explained.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the initial matches in any case. The way he swings 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."
Fixture Details
Australia vs England: The Ashes
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
