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Australia's chief selector the selector has confirmed that pace spearhead Cummins will have a crucial role in this winter's England-Australia contest.

There were concerns that the veteran bowler might sit out due to a stress fracture in his back that had not yet healed.

Initial reports from the squad suggested no definitive call had been made regarding whether he would play, with the five-Test series scheduled to begin on 21 November in Perth.

He revealed that the captain is progressing and remained hopeful about the prospects of taking part.

"We know that the window is narrowing and multiple considerations around that, not just the back issue, but other factors as well," he commented.

"It's positive. [We are] really confident that he'll participate in a key capacity. Hopefully it's the first Test. Should that not happen, then we'll pick it up."

Injury History

He was sidelined Australia's limited-overs series against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals last month after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.

Previous incidents include of recurring issues, with flare-ups in several earlier campaigns leading to absences from several home seasons in a limited period.

The bowler mentioned he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his rehabilitation process to secure his spot for the contest.

The selector indicated that he did not know if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his recovery but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to be fit for the first Test.

Contingency Plans

In case of absence, former captain Steve Smith will assume leadership.

The talented all-rounder was recently pulled out from Australia's squad for their ODI contests against the Asian giants as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.

Bailey described it as a "small issue and confirmed that Green will play in the state-level matches, so will be "ideally positioned to resume bowling."

"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to participate for the first Test as an dual-role player," he elaborated.

"Originally, he'd only feature in the first two ODIs regardless. How he handles the bat in limited-overs, if it causes any delay for another day, we opted to take a cautious route."

Match Calendar

Australia vs England: The Ashes

Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026