Who'll lead Australia in Ashes 2025 in case of Pat Cummins missing out? George Bailey answers

Overview

• George Bailey confirmed that Steve Smith will lead Australia in the Ashes 2026 if Pat Cummins fails to play in some matches 
• The Australian Chief Selector confirmed that Cummins will be with the team and work together with Steve Smith
• Bailey claimed that the star bowler will be rehabbing and getting ready to be fit to go against England in the Ashes 2025

George Bailey confirmed that Steve Smith will lead Australia in the Ashes 2026 if Pat Cummins fails to play in some matches. The Australian Chief Selector confirmed that Cummins will be with the team and work together with Steve Smith. Bailey claimed that the star bowler will be rehabbing and getting ready to be fit to go against England in the Ashes 2025.

Speaking about the Australian skipper potentially missing some of the matches in the Ashes 2025, Bailey confirmed that Cummins is committed to the national duty and is striving hard to return.

"If Pat doesn't play, Smudge (Smith) will captain. That’s business as usual for us. That formula has worked. Regardless of whether he's playing, Pat's keen to be around because if he's not playing he'll be rehabbing and getting ready and bowling, so he'll be with the team anyway. So that information flow and working together as captain and vice-captain will remain the same," Bailey said as quoted by Sydney Morning Herland.

"We've tried to tailor everyone's prep to suit them," - George Bailey

The Australian Chief Selector added that Cummins will play a big part for Australia in the 2025/26 season. He added that Smith has returned to the practice session. Bailey noted that everything has been addressed to take care of unforeseen circumstances ahead of the big Ashes series at home.

"Steve landed and he was at Cricket NSW (New South Wales) the next day, batting. So he'll do his thing. We've tried to tailor everyone's prep to suit them and certain obligations around that, but very comfortably, he'll be ready to go," Bailey added in his statement.