Pat Cummins Expected to Feature a Major Role in Ashes Series
The Australian skipper has secured 309 Test scalps in 71 five-day games with an average of 22.10.
The Australian chair of selectors Bailey has stated that skipper Cummins will be a central figure in the forthcoming Ashes series.
There were concerns that the 32-year-old might miss the series due to a ongoing back issue that had not yet healed.
Previous updates from the Australian camp suggested no final decision had been made regarding whether he would play, with the extended contest set to start on November 21 in the WACA.
He revealed that the captain is progressing and felt positive about the likelihood of being involved.
"We know that time is getting short and multiple considerations involved, aside from his injury, but other factors as well," he commented.
"We're encouraged. We firmly believe that he will feature a key capacity. With luck starting in Perth. Should that not happen, we'll reassess."
Previous Setbacks
He was sidelined the white-ball matches against New Zealand and India recently after scans revealed a lower back issue.
He has a history of recurring issues, with recurrences in several earlier campaigns forcing him out of several home seasons in a limited period.
The bowler mentioned he would be bold in recovery efforts in his comeback strategy to ensure his availability for the series.
He mentioned that he did not know if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his recovery but admitted it was "pressing" for him to recover fully for the first Test.
Alternative Arrangements
If he's unavailable, former captain Steve Smith will take over the captaincy.
All-rounder Cameron Green was recently pulled out from the national team for their ODI contests against India as a precautionary measure because of an abdominal issue.
He labeled it as a "minor" injury and confirmed that he's scheduled to appear in the state-level matches, so will be "ideally positioned to resume bowling."
"Considerable effort has gone into developing the strategy for him to participate for the opening match as an all-rounder," he elaborated.
"His involvement was limited to the first two ODIs regardless. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, should it hinder progress for 24 more hours, the choice was made to adopt a safer strategy."
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