Win Projections to be updated soon
Perth, 18 October 2025:
Australia’s selection chair George Bailey confirmed Friday that Steve Smith will captain Australia in the Ashes series until Pat Cummins is fit to resume the role, as selectors sought to ease concerns over all-rounder Cameron Green’s fitness.
Green was withdrawn from Australia’s ODI squad to face India due to “side soreness” and replaced by the in-form Marnus Labuschagne. The setback followed his first bowling spell in Sheffield Shield cricket since undergoing back surgery last year.
Bailey said scans cleared Green of any strain and described the decision as precautionary, allowing the 25-year-old to stay home, avoid travel to Adelaide and play in rounds three and four of the Shield for Western Australia.
“It’s a very conservative decision around getting that right — playing Shield rounds three and four and bringing the bowling online,” Bailey said. “I don’t think he’s going to come out in the first Test and bowl 30 overs, but the expectation and plan that he’ll participate as an allrounder in that first Test is still well on track.”
Smith, who returned from his New York base this week, hit the nets at Cricket NSW headquarters the day after landing. He is set to feature in the next two rounds of the Sheffield Shield for New South Wales in Brisbane and Sydney before taking charge of the Test side if Cummins remains unavailable due to a back issue.
“If Pat doesn’t play, Smudge will captain,” Bailey said. “That’s business as usual for us. That formula has worked. Regardless of whether he’s playing, Pat’s keen to be around — if he’s not playing, he’ll be rehabbing, getting ready and bowling, so he’ll be with the team anyway.
“That information flow and working together as captain and vice-captain will remain the same. Steve landed and was in at Cricket NSW the next day batting. We’ve tailored everyone’s prep to suit them, but we’re very comfortable he’ll be ready to go.”
Bailey also said the selectors had advised Tasmania’s Beau Webster not to rush back from a sprained ankle to ensure full fitness for the Ashes, noting his growing importance as an all-round option given the injury concerns around Cummins and Green.
“Those sorts of injuries, yeah you can come back and play on them, but it could stay grizzly and a bit niggly,” Bailey said. “If you’re battling a sore ankle come second, third or fourth Test, it’s better to take the extra time to get it right. You’ll still get four Shield matches and plenty of bowling.”
Selectors are expected to finalise the Ashes squad after round three of the Shield. Labuschagne, Tasmanian opener Jake Weatherald, and Test incumbent Sam Konstas are among those under close watch.
“We’ve been glued to each game and each individual,” Bailey said. “The final decision will come down to a few other factors around fit and balance, but it’s a good problem to have when players are scoring runs.”
Labuschagne will complete Queensland’s Shield match against South Australia in Adelaide before flying to Perth as ODI cover for the opening match against India on Sunday.
Alex Carey will stay in Adelaide after the Shield game before rejoining the ODI squad ahead of Thursday’s second match, while Josh Philippe is set to keep wicket in Perth. Josh Inglis is nearing full fitness after a calf injury.
