🔗 Share this article Pat Cummins Expected to Feature a Key Part in the Ashes The pace bowler has secured 309 wickets in 71 Test matches with an impressive average. Australia's chair of selectors George Bailey has declared that skipper Cummins will play a "major part" in the forthcoming historic rivalry. There were concerns that the 32-year-old might miss the series due to a stress fracture in his back that had not yet healed. Initial reports from team management suggested no final decision had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the Test matches kicking off on November 21 in Western Australia. Bailey expressed that his recovery is on track and felt positive about the likelihood of being involved. "It's clear that the clock is ticking and multiple considerations involved, not just the physical problem, but additional elements," the selector added. "It's positive. [We are] really confident that he will feature a significant role. Hopefully starting in Perth. Otherwise, then we'll pick it up." Past Concerns Cummins was ruled out Australia's limited-overs series against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals last month after examinations confirmed a lumbar bone stress. He has a history of back injuries, with setbacks in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 forcing him out of several home seasons in a short span. He emphasized he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his recovery plan to ensure his availability for the Ashes. The selector indicated that it was unclear if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his recovery but acknowledged it was "becoming urgent" for him to be fit for the first Test. Alternative Arrangements If he's unavailable, veteran batsman Smith will lead the side. Versatile player Green was excluded lately from Australia's squad for their ODI contests against India as a preventive step because of discomfort in his torso. The selector characterized it as a "small issue and mentioned that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "in a good place to resume bowling." "Considerable effort has gone into creating the schedule for him to participate for the first Test as an batting and bowling option," he elaborated. "His involvement was limited to the initial matches in any case. The way he swings the willow in shorter formats, even if it just sets him back for 24 more hours, we just made the decision to adopt a safer strategy." Series Schedule Australia vs England: The Ashes Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026