The Australian skipper has taken 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an impressive average.
The Australian selection chief George Bailey has declared that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in this winter's England-Australia contest.
Speculation had been growing that the veteran bowler might sit out due to a ongoing back issue that remained unresolved.
Initial reports from the Australian camp suggested no official announcement had been made regarding whether he would play, with the five-Test series scheduled to begin on 21 November in Perth.
He revealed that Cummins is "building up" and felt positive about the likelihood of participating.
"We know that time is getting short and there are permutations around that, aside from his injury, but other factors as well," he commented.
"We're encouraged. [We are] really confident that he will feature a major part. Hopefully starting in Perth. Should that not happen, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
Cummins was ruled out Australia's limited-overs series against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals last month after scans revealed a lower back issue.
He has a history of recurring issues, with recurrences in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 forcing him out of multiple domestic campaigns in a short span.
Cummins stated he would be bold in recovery efforts in his rehabilitation process to ensure his availability for the series.
He mentioned that it was unclear if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his comeback but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Backup Options
If he's unavailable, former captain Steve Smith will lead the side.
Versatile player Green was recently pulled out from Australia's squad for their limited-overs matches against India as a preventive step because of an abdominal issue.
Bailey described it as a "small issue and confirmed that he'll feature in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "in a good place to resume bowling."
"We put so much time has gone into developing the strategy for him to participate for the first Test as an all-rounder," he elaborated.
"He was only going to play the first two ODIs anyway. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, even if it just sets him back for another day, we opted to approach this more conservatively."
Fixture Details
The Ashes: Australia v England
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
