Pat Cummins has taken over 300 dismissals in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
The Australian chief selector Bailey has declared that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in this winter's Ashes series.
Rumors had circulated that the 32-year-old might miss the series due to a persistent back stress problem that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from team management suggested no definitive call had been made regarding whether he would play, with the extended contest kicking off on the 21st of November in Perth.
Bailey expressed that his recovery is on track and remained hopeful about the prospects of taking part.
"We're aware that time is getting short and various factors involved, aside from the physical problem, but further aspects," he commented.
"It's positive. [We are] really confident that he will feature a key capacity. Hopefully from the opening match. Otherwise, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
He was sidelined the ODI and T20 games against India and New Zealand in the previous weeks after medical tests showed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of back injuries, with flare-ups in multiple past seasons forcing him out of several home seasons in four years.
He emphasized he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his rehabilitation process to secure his spot for the series.
He mentioned that it was unclear if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his comeback but admitted it was "becoming urgent" for him to be fit for the initial match.
Alternative Arrangements
Should Cummins not be fit, ex-skipper Smith will lead the side.
The talented all-rounder was excluded lately from the national team for their one-day international series against the Asian giants as a safety move because of soreness in his side.
He labeled it as a "minor" injury and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "in a good place to deliver overs."
"Considerable effort has gone into building out the plan for him to take part for the initial game as an dual-role player," Bailey explained.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the starting games regardless. How he handles the bat in limited-overs, even if it just sets him back for a short period, the choice was made to adopt a safer strategy."
Match Calendar
Australia vs England: The Ashes
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
