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Australia's selection chief Bailey has stated that skipper Cummins will be a central figure in this winter's historic rivalry.

Speculation had been growing that the 32-year-old might be unavailable due to a ongoing back issue that was still troubling him.

Previous updates from the Australian camp suggested no official announcement had been made regarding whether he would play, with the five-Test series set to start on November 21 in Perth.

The selector shared that Cummins is "building up" and remained hopeful about the likelihood of participating.

"We know that time is getting short and multiple considerations at play, not only his injury, but further aspects," the selector added.

"We're encouraged. We firmly believe that he's going to play a significant role. With luck it's the first Test. Otherwise, we'll adjust."

Past Concerns

The captain missed the ODI and T20 games 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 recurring issues, with setbacks in multiple past seasons forcing him out of multiple domestic campaigns in a limited period.

Cummins stated he would be proactive in his approach in his rehabilitation process to secure his spot for the Ashes.

He mentioned that there was no confirmation if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his comeback but acknowledged it was "becoming urgent" for him to regain fitness for the initial match.

Backup Options

In case of absence, ex-skipper Smith will lead the side.

All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from the ODI lineup for their limited-overs matches against the subcontinent side as a precautionary measure because of an abdominal issue.

Bailey described it as a "small issue and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to deliver overs."

"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to take part for the initial game as an batting and bowling option," the selector detailed.

"Originally, he'd only feature in the first two ODIs in any case. How he handles the bat in limited-overs, should it hinder progress for another day, we just made the decision to approach this more conservatively."

Series Schedule

The Historic Rivalry

Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026