🔗 Share this article Pat Cummins Expected to Feature a Major Role in Iconic Rivalry Pat Cummins has secured over 300 dismissals in 71 five-day games with an stellar bowling average. Australia's chair of selectors George Bailey has confirmed that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in the forthcoming historic rivalry. Rumors had circulated that Cummins might be unavailable due to a stress fracture in his back that remained unresolved. Earlier indications from the Australian camp suggested no official announcement had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the extended contest scheduled to begin on the 21st of November in Western Australia. The selector shared that the captain is progressing and was "optimistic" about the prospects of being involved. "We know that time is getting short and there are permutations at play, aside from the physical problem, but further aspects," Bailey remarked. "The outlook is good. [We are] really confident that he's going to play a key capacity. Hopefully it's the first Test. Otherwise, then we'll pick it up." Previous Setbacks He was sidelined the ODI and T20 games against India and New Zealand last month after examinations confirmed a lower back issue. There is a track record of spinal problems, with flare-ups in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 causing him to miss several home seasons in a short span. Cummins stated he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his rehabilitation process to ensure his availability for the series. The selector indicated that he did not know if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his comeback but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to recover fully for the first Test. Backup Options Should Cummins not be fit, former captain Steve Smith will assume leadership. The talented all-rounder was recently pulled out from the ODI lineup for their limited-overs matches against India as a precautionary measure because of an abdominal issue. The selector characterized it as a "slight concern and stated that he'll feature in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "well-prepared to deliver overs." "Considerable effort has gone into developing the strategy for him to be available for the first Test as an all-rounder," Bailey explained. "His involvement was limited to the first two ODIs anyway. The way he swings the willow in shorter formats, should it hinder progress for 24 more hours, we just made the decision to approach this more conservatively." Fixture Details The Ashes: Australia v England 21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026