Pat Cummins Expected to Feature a Major Role in the Ashes
Pat Cummins has taken 309 Test scalps in 71 five-day games with an stellar bowling average.
The Australian chair of selectors Bailey has declared that captain Pat Cummins will play a "major part" in the upcoming Ashes series.
Speculation had been growing that the 32-year-old might be unavailable due to a ongoing back issue that was still troubling him.
Earlier indications from the Australian camp suggested no final decision had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the extended contest set to start on the 21st of November in the WACA.
Bailey expressed that the captain is progressing and felt positive about the likelihood of being involved.
"We know that the clock is ticking and multiple considerations around that, not just his injury, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.
"It's positive. There's strong faith that he'll participate in a major part. With luck starting in Perth. Should that not happen, we'll reassess."
Past Concerns
The captain missed the white-ball matches against India and New Zealand last month after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of recurring issues, with recurrences in multiple past seasons causing him to miss several home seasons in a limited period.
He emphasized he would be proactive in his approach in his comeback strategy to ensure his availability for the Ashes.
Bailey noted that there was no confirmation if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his comeback but admitted it was "becoming urgent" for him to regain fitness for the initial match.
Alternative Arrangements
Should Cummins not be fit, ex-skipper Smith will lead the side.
All-rounder Cameron Green was excluded lately from Australia's squad for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of soreness in his side.
The selector characterized it as a "small issue and mentioned that he's scheduled to appear in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "ideally positioned to deliver overs."
"We put so much time has gone into building out the plan for him to be available for the opening match as an dual-role player," the selector detailed.
"He was only going to play the starting games in any case. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for 24 more hours, we just made the decision to take a cautious route."
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