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Australia's chief selector Bailey has stated that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in this winter's historic rivalry.

Rumors had circulated that the veteran bowler might miss the series due to a ongoing back issue that had not yet healed.

Initial reports from the Australian camp suggested no final decision had been made regarding his involvement, with the five-Test series set to start on November 21 in Western Australia.

The selector shared that his recovery is on track and was "optimistic" about his chances of participating.

"We're aware that the clock is ticking and multiple considerations around that, not just the physical problem, but further aspects," the selector added.

"It's positive. We firmly believe that he'll participate in a major part. Hopefully it's the first Test. Otherwise, then we'll pick it up."

Past Concerns

Cummins was ruled out the ODI and T20 games against India and New Zealand last month after medical tests showed a stress reaction in his back.

There is a track record of back injuries, with setbacks in multiple past seasons forcing him out of several home seasons in a short span.

He emphasized he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his recovery plan to secure his spot for the contest.

Bailey noted that there was no confirmation if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his comeback but conceded it was "becoming urgent" for him to be fit for the initial match.

Backup Options

In case of absence, former captain Steve Smith will take over the captaincy.

All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from the ODI lineup for their ODI contests against India as a safety move because of discomfort in his torso.

The selector characterized it as a "slight concern and mentioned that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to be ready to bowl."

"Considerable effort has gone into building out the plan for him to participate for the initial game as an all-rounder," the selector detailed.

"Originally, he'd only feature in the initial matches anyway. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for another day, we opted to take a cautious route."

Fixture Details

The Historic Rivalry

21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026