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The Australian selection chief George Bailey has declared that pace spearhead Cummins will have a crucial role in the forthcoming historic rivalry.

There were concerns that Cummins might sit out due to a persistent back stress problem that was still troubling him.

Earlier indications from team management suggested no final decision had been made regarding his involvement, with the five-Test series kicking off on 21 November in the WACA.

He revealed that his recovery is on track and remained hopeful about the likelihood of participating.

"We know that the clock is ticking and there are permutations at play, not only the physical problem, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.

"We're encouraged. We firmly believe that he'll participate in a significant role. With luck from the opening match. Otherwise, we'll reassess."

Past Concerns

The captain missed the white-ball matches against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals last month after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.

He has a history of recurring issues, with setbacks in multiple past seasons leading to absences from multiple domestic campaigns in a short span.

He emphasized he would be bold in recovery efforts in his recovery plan to ensure his availability for the series.

Bailey noted that there was no confirmation if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his rehabilitation but admitted it was "becoming urgent" for him to recover fully for the opener.

Contingency Plans

If he's unavailable, veteran batsman Smith will take over the captaincy.

Versatile player Green was excluded lately from the ODI lineup for their one-day international series against the Asian giants as a safety move because of an abdominal issue.

Bailey described it as a "slight concern and confirmed 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 first Test as an dual-role player," the selector detailed.

"He was only going to play the initial matches anyway. The way he swings the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, should it hinder progress for a short period, we just made the decision to approach this more conservatively."

Fixture Details

The Ashes: Australia v England

From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026