Pat Cummins has taken 309 wickets in 71 five-day games with an impressive average.
Australia's chief selector George Bailey has stated that pace spearhead Cummins will play a "major part" in this winter's historic rivalry.
Speculation had been growing that the 32-year-old might miss the series due to a stress fracture in his back that remained unresolved.
Initial reports from team management suggested no final decision had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the five-Test series kicking off on the 21st of November in Western Australia.
He revealed that the captain is progressing and felt positive about the likelihood of being involved.
"We know that the clock is ticking and multiple considerations at play, not only the physical problem, but further aspects," he commented.
"It's positive. We firmly believe that he's going to play a significant role. Hopefully it's the first Test. Otherwise, then we'll pick it up."
Past Concerns
He was sidelined the ODI and T20 games against India and New Zealand recently after medical tests showed a lumbar bone stress.
There is a track record of back injuries, with flare-ups in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 forcing him out of 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.
The selector indicated that there was no confirmation if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his comeback but acknowledged it was "becoming urgent" for him to regain fitness for the first Test.
Alternative Arrangements
Should Cummins not be fit, ex-skipper Smith will assume leadership.
The talented all-rounder was withdrawn recently from the ODI lineup for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a safety move because of discomfort in his torso.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 "minor" injury and mentioned that he'll feature in the state-level matches, so will be "in a good place to deliver overs."
"Considerable effort has gone into developing the strategy for him to take part for the initial game as an dual-role player," he elaborated.
"He was only going to play the starting games regardless. His aggressive style the bat in limited-overs, should it hinder progress for 24 more hours, the choice was made to take a cautious route."
Fixture Details
Australia vs England: The Ashes
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
