The fast bowler Expected to Feature a Key Part in the Ashes
The pace bowler has secured 309 wickets in 71 appearances with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's chief selector the selector has stated that pace spearhead Cummins will have a crucial role in this winter's Ashes series.
There were concerns that Cummins might be unavailable due to a persistent back stress problem that had not yet healed.
Previous updates from the Australian camp suggested no definitive call had been made regarding whether he would play, with the extended contest scheduled to begin on 21 November in the WACA.
He revealed that the captain is progressing and felt positive about the prospects of taking part.
"It's clear that the window is narrowing and multiple considerations at play, not just his injury, but additional elements," he commented.
"It's positive. [We are] really confident that he'll participate in a key capacity. With luck from the opening match. If not, we'll adjust."
Previous Setbacks
The captain missed the white-ball matches against New Zealand and India recently after scans revealed a lower back issue.
There is a track record of back injuries, with recurrences in multiple past seasons forcing him out of several home seasons in a short span.
The bowler mentioned he would be proactive in his approach in his recovery plan to make the squad for the Ashes.
He mentioned that it was unclear if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his recovery but conceded it was "getting tight" for him to regain fitness for the opener.
Backup Options
In case of absence, ex-skipper Smith will take over the captaincy.
The talented all-rounder was recently pulled out from the national team for their ODI contests against the Asian giants as a preventive step because of soreness in his side.
The selector characterized it as a "minor" injury and stated that he'll feature in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "ideally positioned to be ready to bowl."
"Considerable effort has gone into building out the plan for him to take part for the opening match as an batting and bowling option," the selector detailed.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the first two ODIs anyway. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, if it causes any delay for another day, we just made the decision to approach this more conservatively."
Fixture Details
The Historic Rivalry
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