The Australian skipper has secured 309 wickets in 71 Test matches with an impressive average.
Australia's chief selector George Bailey has declared that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in the upcoming historic rivalry.
Rumors had circulated that the veteran bowler might sit out due to a ongoing back issue that had not yet healed.
Initial reports from team management suggested no definitive call had been made regarding his involvement, with the Test matches set to start on November 21 in the WACA.
The selector shared that his recovery is on track and remained hopeful about the prospects of taking part.
"We're aware that the window is narrowing and there are permutations involved, not just his injury, but other factors as well," the selector added.
"The outlook is good. There's strong faith that he's going to play a significant role. Ideally starting in Perth. Otherwise, we'll adjust."
Previous Setbacks
The captain missed the ODI and T20 games against New Zealand and India in the previous weeks after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.
There is a track record of back injuries, with setbacks in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 leading to absences from several home seasons in four years.
He emphasized he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his recovery plan to secure his spot for the series.
He mentioned that it was unclear if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his comeback but admitted it was "getting tight" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Alternative Arrangements
If he's unavailable, former captain Steve Smith will lead the side.
All-rounder Cameron Green was recently pulled out from Australia's squad for their ODI contests against India as a safety move because of soreness in his side.
The selector characterized it as a "minor" injury and mentioned that he's scheduled to appear in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to be ready to bowl."
"Extensive planning has gone into building out the plan for him to participate for the first Test as an dual-role player," the selector detailed.
"His involvement was limited to the first two ODIs regardless. The way he swings the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for another day, we opted to take a cautious route."
Match Calendar
Australia vs England: The Ashes
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
