The Australian skipper has secured 309 Test scalps in 71 Test matches with an average of 22.10.
The Australian chief selector George Bailey has confirmed that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in this winter's Ashes series.
There were concerns that Cummins might be unavailable due to a ongoing back issue that had not yet healed.
Earlier indications from the Australian camp suggested no official announcement had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the Test matches set to start on the 21st of November in the WACA.
The selector shared that his recovery is on track and was "optimistic" about his chances of being involved.
"It's clear that the window is narrowing and various factors at play, not only the physical problem, but other factors as well," the selector added.
"It's positive. We firmly believe that he will feature a key capacity. Ideally it's the first Test. Should that not happen, we'll adjust."
Previous Setbacks
Cummins was ruled out the white-ball matches against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals in the previous weeks after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.
There is a track record of back injuries, 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 rehabilitation process to make the squad for the contest.
Bailey noted that he did not know if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his recovery but acknowledged it was "becoming urgent" for him to regain fitness for the first Test.
Backup Options
Should Cummins not be fit, ex-skipper Smith will take over the captaincy.
The talented all-rounder was withdrawn recently from the national team for their limited-overs matches against the subcontinent side as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.
He labeled it as a "small issue and mentioned that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to be ready to bowl."
"We put so much time has gone into developing the strategy for him to be available for the initial game as an batting and bowling option," the selector detailed.
"He was only going to play the first two ODIs regardless. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, if it causes any delay for a short period, the choice was made to take a cautious route."
Series Schedule
Australia vs England: The Ashes
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
