Pat Cummins has taken 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an stellar bowling average.
The Australian chief selector George Bailey has stated that skipper Cummins will be a central figure in the upcoming Ashes series.
Rumors had circulated that the 32-year-old might be unavailable due to a ongoing back issue that had not yet healed.
Earlier indications from the squad suggested no definitive call had been made regarding his involvement, with the five-Test series kicking off on 21 November in Western Australia.
The selector shared that the captain is progressing and remained hopeful about his chances of taking part.
"It's clear that the clock is ticking and multiple considerations around that, not just the physical problem, but additional elements," Bailey remarked.
"The outlook is good. [We are] really confident that he's going to play a key capacity. With luck it's the first Test. Should that not happen, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
He was sidelined Australia's limited-overs series against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals recently after examinations confirmed a stress reaction in his back.
There is a track record of recurring issues, with recurrences in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 forcing him out of three Australian summers in four years.
The bowler mentioned he would be proactive in his approach in his recovery plan to make the squad for the contest.
The selector indicated that there was no confirmation if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his comeback but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to be fit for the first Test.
Backup Options
If he's unavailable, veteran batsman Smith will assume leadership.
All-rounder Cameron Green was excluded lately from the national team for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a safety move because of discomfort in his torso.
Bailey described it as a "small issue and confirmed that Green will play in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "in a good place to be ready to bowl."
"We put so much time has gone into creating the schedule for him to be available for the opening match as an batting and bowling option," he elaborated.
"His involvement was limited to the initial matches in any case. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, if it causes any delay for a short period, the choice was made to adopt a safer strategy."
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