The pace bowler has claimed 309 wickets in 71 five-day games with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's chair of selectors George Bailey has confirmed that captain Pat Cummins will be a central figure in this winter's England-Australia contest.
Rumors had circulated that the veteran bowler might be unavailable due to a stress fracture in his back that had not yet healed.
Initial reports from the Australian camp suggested no official announcement had been made regarding whether he would play, with the extended contest scheduled to begin on 21 November in Western Australia.
He revealed that Cummins is "building up" and was "optimistic" about the prospects of participating.
"We're aware that time is getting short and multiple considerations around that, not just the back issue, but other factors as well," the selector added.
"We're encouraged. [We are] really confident that he'll participate in a major part. With luck starting in Perth. If not, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
The captain missed the ODI and T20 games against New Zealand and India last month after medical tests showed a stress reaction in his back.
Previous incidents include of spinal problems, with flare-ups in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 leading to absences from multiple domestic campaigns in four years.
Cummins stated he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his recovery plan to make the squad for the contest.
Bailey noted that he did not know if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his comeback but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to be fit for the opener.
Backup Options
If he's unavailable, veteran batsman Smith will take over the captaincy.
All-rounder Cameron Green was excluded lately from the ODI lineup for their ODI contests against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of an abdominal issue.
He labeled it as a "slight concern and stated that Green will play in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "in a good place to deliver overs."
"We put so much time has gone into creating the schedule for him to participate for the initial game as an batting and bowling option," Bailey explained.
"He was only going to play the starting games regardless. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for another day, the choice was made to take a cautious route."
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