The pace bowler has taken over 300 dismissals in 71 Test matches with an impressive average.
Australia's selection chief the selector has stated that captain Pat Cummins will be a central figure in this winter's Ashes series.
Rumors had circulated that Cummins might sit out due to a ongoing back issue that had not yet healed.
Initial reports from the Australian camp suggested no official announcement had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the five-Test series set to start on 21 November in Western Australia.
The selector shared that the captain is progressing and felt positive about his chances of participating.
"It's clear that the clock is ticking and there are permutations around that, aside from his injury, but other factors as well," he commented.
"The outlook is good. We firmly believe that he'll participate in a significant role. Hopefully starting in Perth. Should that not happen, we'll reassess."
Past Concerns
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.
Previous incidents include of back injuries, with flare-ups in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 forcing him out of multiple domestic campaigns in a limited period.
He emphasized he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his rehabilitation process to secure his spot for the Ashes.
He mentioned that there was no confirmation if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his comeback but conceded it was "getting tight" for him to be fit for the first Test.
Contingency Plans
If he's unavailable, ex-skipper Smith will take over the captaincy.
The talented all-rounder was withdrawn recently from Australia's squad for their ODI contests against the Asian giants as a preventive step because of soreness in his side.
He labeled it as a "slight concern and mentioned that Green will play in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "in a good place to deliver overs."
"Considerable effort has gone into developing the strategy for him to be available for the initial game as an all-rounder," he elaborated.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the initial matches in any case. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, even if it just sets him back for another day, the choice was made to adopt a safer strategy."
Series Schedule
Australia vs England: The Ashes
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
