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Australia's chair of selectors the selector has declared that pace spearhead Cummins will play a "major part" in the upcoming England-Australia contest.

Rumors had circulated that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a persistent back stress problem that had not yet healed.

Earlier indications from team management suggested no definitive call had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the Test matches scheduled to begin on 21 November in Perth.

Bailey expressed that Cummins is "building up" and was "optimistic" about his chances of being involved.

"It's clear that the window is narrowing and there are permutations involved, not only his injury, but other factors as well," he commented.

"It's positive. We firmly believe that he'll participate in a key capacity. With luck from the opening match. Otherwise, we'll adjust."

Past Concerns

Cummins was ruled out the ODI and T20 games against New Zealand and India in the previous weeks after scans revealed a lower back issue.

There is a track record of back injuries, with recurrences in several earlier campaigns 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 make the squad for the Ashes.

The selector indicated that there was no confirmation if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his recovery but acknowledged it was "getting tight" for him to recover fully for the first Test.

Alternative Arrangements

If he's unavailable, ex-skipper Smith will assume leadership.

Versatile player Green was excluded lately from Australia's squad for their ODI contests against the subcontinent side as a precautionary measure because of soreness in his side.

Bailey described it as a "slight concern and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the state-level matches, so will be "in a good place to deliver overs."

"Extensive planning has gone into creating the schedule for him to take part for the first Test as an all-rounder," the selector detailed.

"Originally, he'd only feature in the first two ODIs regardless. The way he swings the willow in shorter formats, should it hinder progress for another day, we just made the decision to approach this more conservatively."

Match Calendar

Australia vs England: The Ashes

Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026