🔗 Share this article

The Australian selection chief George Bailey has confirmed that skipper Cummins will play a "major part" in the forthcoming England-Australia contest.

Speculation had been growing that the 32-year-old might be unavailable due to a stress fracture in his back that had not yet healed.

Previous updates from the Australian camp suggested no final decision had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the Test matches kicking off on 21 November in Perth.

The selector shared that Cummins is "building up" and felt positive about his chances of being involved.

"It's clear that the window is narrowing and multiple considerations around that, not just the physical problem, but additional elements," the selector added.

"We're encouraged. There's strong faith that he will feature a significant role. Hopefully from the opening match. Otherwise, then we'll pick it up."

Past Concerns

Cummins was ruled out the ODI and T20 games against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals in the previous weeks after examinations confirmed a lumbar bone stress.

He has a history of back injuries, with setbacks in multiple past seasons leading to absences from several home seasons in a short span.

He emphasized he would be proactive in his approach in his recovery plan to secure his spot for the series.

The selector indicated that he did not know if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his comeback but acknowledged it was "getting tight" for him to be fit for the first Test.

Backup Options

If he's unavailable, former captain Steve Smith will assume leadership.

The talented all-rounder was excluded lately from the ODI lineup for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of soreness in his side.

Bailey described it as a "slight concern and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "in a good place to deliver overs."

"We put so much time has gone into building out the plan 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 willow in shorter formats, even if it just sets him back for a short period, we opted to approach this more conservatively."

Series Schedule

The Historic Rivalry

21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026