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

Rumors had circulated that the veteran bowler might miss the series due to a ongoing back issue that remained unresolved.

Initial reports from team management suggested no final decision had been made regarding his involvement, with the five-Test series kicking off on November 21 in Western Australia.

The selector shared that the captain is progressing and was "optimistic" about the likelihood of taking part.

"It's clear that the clock is ticking and there are permutations around that, not just the back issue, but additional elements," he commented.

"The outlook is good. There's strong faith that he'll participate in a key capacity. With luck starting in Perth. If not, then we'll pick it up."

Previous Setbacks

Cummins was ruled out the white-ball matches against New Zealand and India recently after examinations confirmed a lower back issue.

There is a track record of spinal problems, with recurrences in multiple past seasons forcing him out of several home seasons in a limited period.

He emphasized he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his comeback strategy to secure his spot for the Ashes.

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

Contingency Plans

In case of absence, former captain Steve Smith will lead the side.

Versatile player Green was withdrawn recently from the ODI lineup for their ODI contests against the Asian giants as a safety move because of an abdominal issue.

The selector characterized it as a "small issue and stated that he'll feature in the state-level matches, so will be "in a good place to be ready to bowl."

"Extensive planning has gone into creating the schedule for him to participate for the opening match as an batting and bowling option," he elaborated.

"His involvement was limited to the initial matches anyway. His aggressive style the bat in limited-overs, should it hinder progress for a short period, we just made the decision to adopt a safer strategy."

Series Schedule

Australia vs England: The Ashes

21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026