Perth, Oct 18 (UNI) Australia cricket chief selector George Bailey has confirmed that Steve Smith will captain the national Test side if regular skipper Pat Cummins is unavailable for the opening Ashes Test against England, scheduled to begin on November 21 here.
Cummins, recovering from stress fractures in his back, is expected to miss the first Test but aims to return for either the second Test in Brisbane (December 4-8) or the third in Adelaide (December 17-21).
“If Pat doesn’t play, Smudge (Smith) will captain. That’s business as usual for us. That formula has worked,” Bailey told an Australia daily.
He added that Cummins will remain actively involved with the team during his recovery, ensuring smooth coordination between captain and vice-captain.
Smith, who was stripped of the captaincy following the 2018 Sandpaper Gate scandal, has led Australia six times since his reinstatement as vice-captain—winning five matches and drawing one, including the Ahmedabad Test in the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Bailey expressed full confidence in Smith’s preparedness: “Steve landed and he was at Cricket NSW the next day, batting. So he’ll do his thing… very comfortably, he’ll be ready to go.”
Meanwhile, Australia’s injury concerns continue with allrounder Cameron Green ruled out of the upcoming India ODI series due to side soreness.
Bailey described the decision as precautionary: “It’s a very conservative decision… the expectation and plan that he’ll be able to participate as an allrounder in that first Test is still well on track.”
The five-match 2025 Ashes series promises an exciting clash between the old guard and emerging leaders as Australia look to defend their pride against England.
