Pat Cummins Set to Play a Key Part in Ashes Series

The Australian chair of selectors the selector has stated that pace spearhead Cummins will play a "major part" in the upcoming Ashes series.

Speculation had been growing that the 32-year-old might be unavailable due to a persistent back stress problem that was still troubling him.

Previous updates from the Australian camp suggested no definitive call had been made regarding his involvement, with the five-Test series kicking off on the 21st of November in the WACA.

Bailey expressed that his recovery is on track and was "optimistic" about the likelihood of taking part.

"We're aware that the window is narrowing and multiple considerations involved, aside from his injury, but further aspects," he commented.

"It's positive. [We are] really confident that he's going to play a key capacity. With luck it's the first Test. If not, we'll reassess."

Previous Setbacks

He was sidelined the white-ball matches against New Zealand and India in the previous weeks after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.

He has a history of recurring issues, with recurrences in multiple past seasons leading to absences from multiple domestic campaigns in four years.

He emphasized he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his recovery plan to secure his spot for the contest.

He mentioned that he did not know if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his comeback but conceded it was "becoming urgent" for him to be fit for the initial match.

Alternative Arrangements

Should Cummins not be fit, veteran batsman Smith will assume leadership.

All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from the national team for their limited-overs matches against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of soreness in his side.

Bailey described it as a "small issue and stated that Green will play in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "well-prepared to deliver overs."

"We put so much time has gone into creating the schedule for him to participate for the initial game as an all-rounder," Bailey explained.

"He was only going to play the initial matches regardless. His aggressive style the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for a short period, we opted to take a cautious route."

Match Calendar

The Ashes: Australia v England

From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026