🔗 Share this article

Australia's chief selector Bailey has confirmed that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in the upcoming England-Australia contest.

Rumors had circulated that the veteran bowler might sit out due to a persistent back stress problem that was still troubling him.

Earlier indications from the squad suggested no final decision had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the extended contest set to start on the 21st of November in Perth.

The selector shared that the captain is progressing and was "optimistic" about the prospects of participating.

"We know that the window is narrowing and multiple considerations around that, not only the physical problem, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.

"The outlook is good. We firmly believe that he'll participate in a key capacity. Hopefully it's the first Test. Should that not happen, we'll reassess."

Injury History

The captain missed the white-ball matches against New Zealand and India last month after scans revealed a lumbar bone stress.

Previous incidents include of back injuries, with recurrences in several earlier campaigns forcing him out of multiple domestic campaigns in four years.

Cummins stated he would be proactive in his approach in his rehabilitation process to make the squad for the Ashes.

Bailey noted that he did not know if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his rehabilitation but admitted it was "becoming urgent" for him to recover fully for the initial match.

Alternative Arrangements

If he's unavailable, former captain Steve Smith will take over the captaincy.

All-rounder Cameron Green was recently pulled out from the national team for their limited-overs matches against India as a preventive step because of soreness in his side.

Bailey described it as a "minor" injury and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "well-prepared to be ready to bowl."

"We put so much time has gone into creating the schedule for him to be available for the opening match as an batting and bowling option," the selector detailed.

"He was only going to play the initial matches in any case. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, should it hinder progress for 24 more hours, we opted to adopt a safer strategy."

Series Schedule

The Ashes: Australia v England

21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026