Pat Cummins has claimed 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an impressive average.
The Australian selection chief George Bailey has declared that skipper Cummins will have a crucial role in this winter's historic rivalry.
Speculation had been growing that Cummins might be unavailable due to a persistent back stress problem that was still troubling him.
Previous updates from the Australian camp suggested no definitive call had been made regarding his involvement, with the five-Test series kicking off on 21 November in the WACA.
Bailey expressed that Cummins is "building up" and remained hopeful about the prospects of being involved.
"It's clear that the clock is ticking and various factors around that, not just the physical problem, but additional elements," he commented.
"We're encouraged. [We are] really confident that he will feature a significant role. Hopefully starting in Perth. Otherwise, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
Cummins was ruled out the white-ball matches against India and New Zealand in the previous weeks after medical tests showed a lumbar bone stress.
There is a track record of back injuries, with setbacks in multiple past seasons leading to absences from several home seasons in a limited period.
Cummins stated he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his comeback strategy to ensure his availability for the contest.
He mentioned that it was unclear if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his comeback but conceded it was "getting tight" for him to be fit for the initial match.
Contingency Plans
Should Cummins not be fit, veteran batsman Smith will lead the side.
All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from Australia's squad for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a safety move because of soreness in his side.
Bailey described it as a "slight concern and mentioned that he's scheduled to appear in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "in a good place to be ready to bowl."
"Extensive planning has gone into building out the plan for him to take part for the initial game as an dual-role player," Bailey explained.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the starting games anyway. His aggressive style the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for a short period, we opted to approach this more conservatively."
Fixture Details
The Ashes: Australia v England
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
