Pat Cummins has claimed 309 wickets in 71 appearances with an stellar bowling average.
The Australian chair of selectors George Bailey has stated that skipper Cummins will have a crucial role in the forthcoming historic rivalry.
There were concerns that the 32-year-old might miss the series due to a persistent back stress problem that had not yet healed.
Previous updates from the Australian camp suggested no final decision had been made regarding his involvement, with the extended contest kicking off on 21 November in Perth.
The selector shared that his recovery is on track and felt positive about the prospects of taking part.
"It's clear that the window is narrowing and multiple considerations around that, aside from the back issue, but other factors as well," he commented.
"We're encouraged. We firmly believe that he will feature a significant role. Hopefully starting in Perth. Should that not happen, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
He was sidelined the white-ball matches against India and New Zealand recently after examinations confirmed a lumbar bone stress.
Previous incidents include of spinal problems, with flare-ups in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 leading to absences from three Australian summers in a limited period.
Cummins stated he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his recovery plan to secure his spot for the contest.
He mentioned that he did not know if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his comeback but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to recover fully for the first Test.
Backup Options
In case of absence, ex-skipper Smith will lead the side.
Versatile player Green was recently pulled out from the ODI lineup for their limited-overs matches against India as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.
The selector characterized it as a "small issue and stated 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 take part for the initial game as an batting and bowling option," the selector detailed.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the starting games anyway. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for a short period, the choice was made to take a cautious route."
Match Calendar
The Historic Rivalry
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
