Overview

• Pat Cummins says the goal remains to play all five Tests, though he concedes plans may shift as the series nears.
• Head coach Andrew McDonald confirms a lumbar bone stress and no set timeline, expecting Cummins to play a significant role without necessarily featuring in every match.
• Cummins has been ruled out of October's white-ball fixtures against New Zealand and India to focus on rehabilitation.
• Australia plans to rotate its pace attack across the Ashes rather than have any quick, including the captain, play all five Tests.
• Steve Smith is the expected stand-in captain if required, with the series opener scheduled for November 21 in Perth.