The Australian skipper has taken 309 wickets in 71 Test matches with an impressive average.
Australia's chief selector George Bailey has confirmed that skipper Cummins will have a crucial role in this winter's England-Australia contest.
Rumors had circulated that the veteran bowler might sit out due to a ongoing back issue that was still troubling him.
Earlier indications from the squad suggested no final decision had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the five-Test series kicking off on the 21st of November in Perth.
He revealed that his recovery is on track and felt positive about his chances of being involved.
"It's clear that time is getting short and multiple considerations around that, aside from his injury, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.
"The outlook is good. We firmly believe that he's going to play a significant role. Ideally it's the first Test. If not, then we'll pick it up."
Past Concerns
Cummins was ruled out the white-ball matches against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals in the previous weeks after medical tests showed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of back injuries, with recurrences in multiple past seasons leading to absences from three Australian summers in a limited period.
The bowler mentioned he would be proactive in his approach in his comeback strategy to make the squad for the Ashes.
The selector indicated that there was no confirmation if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his recovery but admitted it was "becoming urgent" for him to regain fitness for the first Test.
Backup Options
If he's unavailable, veteran batsman Smith will lead the side.
All-rounder Cameron Green was excluded lately from the ODI lineup for their ODI contests against India as a safety move because of soreness in his side.
Bailey described it as a "small issue and stated that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "ideally positioned to resume bowling."
"Extensive planning has gone into building out the plan for him to be available for the initial game as an dual-role player," he elaborated.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the starting games anyway. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, should it hinder progress for a short period, the choice was made to take a cautious route."
Match Calendar
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
