🔗 Share this article

The Australian chair of selectors the selector has confirmed that skipper Cummins will be a central figure in this winter's Ashes series.

There were concerns that the veteran bowler might miss the series due to a stress fracture in his back that remained unresolved.

Previous updates from team management suggested no definitive call had been made regarding whether he would play, with the extended contest set to start on 21 November in Western Australia.

He revealed that Cummins is "building up" and felt positive about his chances of participating.

"We know that time is getting short and various factors around that, aside from the back issue, but additional elements," he commented.

"It's positive. There's strong faith that he'll participate in a significant role. Ideally it's the first Test. If not, we'll reassess."

Previous Setbacks

He was sidelined the white-ball matches against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals recently after examinations confirmed a lumbar bone stress.

There is a track record of back injuries, with setbacks in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 forcing him out of three Australian summers in four years.

Cummins stated he would be bold in recovery efforts in his comeback strategy to secure his spot for the contest.

Bailey noted that it was unclear if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his rehabilitation but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to be fit for the first Test.

Alternative Arrangements

Should Cummins not be fit, former captain Steve Smith will lead the side.

The talented all-rounder was recently pulled out from the national team for their limited-overs matches against India as a safety move because of soreness in his side.

He labeled it as a "small issue and stated that Green will play in the state-level matches, so will be "ideally positioned to be ready to bowl."

"Extensive planning has gone into building out the plan for him to take part for the initial game as an batting and bowling option," the selector detailed.

"He was only going to play the first two ODIs in any case. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, even if it just sets him back for a short period, we just made the decision to take a cautious route."

Match Calendar

Australia vs England: The Ashes

21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026