Pat Cummins has secured over 300 dismissals in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
The Australian selection chief George Bailey has declared that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in the upcoming Ashes series.
There were concerns that the veteran bowler might sit out due to a stress fracture in his back that had not yet healed.
Initial reports from team management suggested no official announcement had been made regarding his involvement, with the extended contest scheduled to begin on November 21 in Perth.
Bailey expressed that the captain is progressing and was "optimistic" about his chances of participating.
"We're aware that the clock is ticking and various factors involved, not only his injury, but further aspects," Bailey remarked.
"The outlook is good. There's strong faith that he's going to play a significant role. Ideally from the opening match. If not, we'll reassess."
Previous Setbacks
He was sidelined the white-ball matches against India and New Zealand in the previous weeks after medical tests showed a lumbar bone stress.
There is a track record of recurring issues, with flare-ups in multiple past seasons causing him to miss several home seasons in four years.
Cummins stated he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his comeback strategy to make the squad for the series.
The selector indicated that he did not know if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his rehabilitation but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Contingency Plans
In case of absence, veteran batsman Smith will lead the side.
The talented all-rounder was excluded lately from the national team for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of an abdominal issue.
He labeled it as a "minor" injury and mentioned that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "ideally positioned to deliver overs."
"Considerable effort has gone into creating the schedule for him to be available for the initial game as an batting and bowling option," Bailey explained.
"His involvement was limited to the starting games anyway. How he handles the bat in limited-overs, even if it just sets him back for a short period, the choice was made to take a cautious route."
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