Pat Cummins has claimed 309 Test scalps in 71 five-day games with an impressive average.
Australia's chair of selectors George Bailey has stated that skipper Cummins will have a crucial role in the upcoming Ashes series.
Speculation had been growing that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a ongoing back issue that had not yet healed.
Previous updates from team management suggested no final decision had been made regarding his involvement, with the five-Test series kicking off on 21 November in Perth.
He revealed that the captain is progressing and felt positive about the likelihood of participating.
"It's clear that the window is narrowing and various factors around that, aside from the back issue, but other factors as well," he commented.
"The outlook is good. We firmly believe that he's going to play a major part. Hopefully it's the first Test. Should that not happen, we'll adjust."
Previous Setbacks
He was sidelined the ODI and T20 games against India and New Zealand in the previous weeks after examinations confirmed a lumbar bone stress.
He has a history of spinal problems, with flare-ups in several earlier campaigns forcing him out of several home seasons in a short span.
The bowler mentioned he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his rehabilitation process to make the squad for the Ashes.
Bailey noted that he did not know if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his rehabilitation but admitted it was "pressing" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Alternative Arrangements
If he's unavailable, ex-skipper Smith will assume leadership.
Versatile player Green was withdrawn recently from the national team for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a precautionary measure because of an abdominal issue.
He labeled it as a "slight concern and mentioned that he's scheduled to appear in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "ideally positioned to be ready to bowl."
"Considerable effort has gone into developing the strategy for him to take part for the opening match as an batting and bowling option," the selector detailed.
"His involvement was limited to the initial matches anyway. His aggressive style the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, if it causes any delay for 24 more hours, we opted to approach this more conservatively."
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