The Australian skipper has claimed over 300 dismissals in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's chair of selectors George Bailey has confirmed 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 had not yet healed.
Initial reports from team management suggested no definitive call had been made regarding whether he would play, with the five-Test series set to start on November 21 in the WACA.
He revealed that the captain is progressing and remained hopeful about his chances of participating.
"We know that the clock is ticking and various factors at play, aside from the physical problem, but additional elements," Bailey remarked.
"It's positive. We firmly believe that he will feature a key capacity. With luck it's the first Test. Otherwise, then we'll pick it up."
Previous Setbacks
He was sidelined the ODI and T20 games against New Zealand and India last month after examinations confirmed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of back injuries, with flare-ups in multiple past seasons leading to absences from multiple domestic campaigns in a limited period.
The bowler mentioned he would be proactive in his approach in his recovery plan to secure his spot for the Ashes.
He mentioned that he did not know if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his rehabilitation but conceded it was "pressing" for him to be fit for the first Test.
Contingency Plans
If he's unavailable, ex-skipper Smith will take over the captaincy.
The talented all-rounder was excluded lately from the ODI lineup for their ODI contests against the subcontinent side as a safety move because of soreness in his side.
Bailey described it as a "slight concern and confirmed that he'll feature in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "ideally positioned to deliver overs."
"Considerable effort has gone into building out the plan for him to participate for the first Test as an all-rounder," he elaborated.
"His involvement was limited to the first two ODIs regardless. The way he swings the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, should it hinder progress for 24 more hours, we opted to adopt a safer strategy."
Series Schedule
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
