Steve Smith insists it will be a “seamless transition” should he have to fill in for Pat Cummins as Australia captain at any point during this year’s Ashes.

Cummins has not played since July because of a back injury and said last week he was “less likely than likely” to feature in the series opener at Perth’s Optus Stadium from November 21.

Australia’s chair of selectors George Bailey is “hopeful” that Cummins will play a “major part” in the series, despite being a major doubt for the first Test, although Smith is primed to step in if required.

Smith has stood in as captain on six occasions when the fast bowler has been sidelined, winning five of those Tests, with the 36-year-old ready to do so again but hopeful Cummins will be fit to feature.

“The team is better with (Cummins) in it,” Smith told reporters. “Hopefully he can get right and if he plays three or five Tests, as many as we can get out of him, it’s the best thing for the team.

“We’ll see what happens. Pat’s still got a few things that he can tick off. Obviously he said he’s unlikely for that first Test but you never know – he’s a healer, he gets well quickly.

“I’ve stood in a couple of times over the last few years. It’s nothing out of the ordinary. I know how the team operates, we’re in a good place, if it happens I’ll look forward to it.”

Smith, who also captained Australia for 34 Tests from 2014-18 before resigning following the ball-tampering controversy, averages close to 70 with the bat when he skippers the national team.

“I feel like I go to another level and try to set a standard,” Smith said. “It’s worked well when I’ve stood in over the last few years. It will be just a seamless transition if that comes around.”

Smith has had a two-month sabbatical since his last match in The Hundred in August, but is poised to return to domestic action in the Sheffield Shield for New South Wales at Queensland next week. He will then play one more match to get himself firing on all cylinders to take on England.

“Honestly, it takes me two hits to get sorted,” Smith added. “I feel like I’m ready to go now.

“There’s obviously a balance, but I don’t think it takes me much now to get up to game speed and I want to try and stay mentally fresh. Technically I feel in a good place, it’s about being mentally fresh.”

Smith oversaw a 4-0 victory for Australia on home soil in the 2016/17 series and stood in for Cummins during one Test of their 4-0 success in the 2021/22 series. England chase a first Ashes victory on Australian soil since winning the 2010/11 series.

Boland backs himself ahead of possible big Ashes role

Cummins’ injury may open an increased Ashes role for Australia paceman Scott Boland, who former England captain Michael Atherton said in a recent column in The Times that England’s batters held no fear of.

Boland took two wickets – at a cost of 231 runs – during his two Tests in the 2023 Ashes, conceding nearly five runs an over in the drawn series, having posted 18 wickets on home pitches in the 2021/22 Ashes victory.

“It is not about proving anything to anyone else,” Boland said. “I believe in my own skills. I am a proud cricketer, and every time I play, I want to put out my best performance.

“There are always going to be moments where you get tested, but I am learning to manage those better. Even when things are not going my way, I back myself to fight back and stay in the contest.”

Boland took eight wickets in Victoria’s Sheffield Shield win over New South Wales last week, having undergone two months of gym and rehabilitation work after the West Indies tour to be primed for the home summer and the idea of playing in all five Ashes Tests.

“I definitely feel as good as I have this year,” he said. “I would not be honest if I said I was not excited. Every summer I want to be in the team and playing a role. Even if I am the 12th man, I still want to be involved.”

Ashes series in Australia 2025-26

All times UK and Ireland

• First Test: Friday November 21-Tuesday November 25 (2.30am) – Optus Stadium, Perth
• Second Test (day/night): Thursday December 4-Monday December 8 (4.30am) – The Gabba, Brisbane
• Third Test: Wednesday December 17-Sunday December 21 (12am) – Adelaide Oval
• Fourth Test: Thursday December 25-Monday December 29 (11.30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground
• Fifth Test: Sunday January 4-Thursday January 8 (11.30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground