Steve Smith says he is primed to fill in as Australia captain for the Ashes with Pat Cummins a major doubt for next month’s first Test against England .

Cummins declared last week he was “less likely than likely” to feature in the Perth curtain-raiser, starting on November 21, as he continues his recovery from lumbar bone stress in his lower back.

While no decision on his availability has officially been made, Smith, as Cummins’ right-hand man, is poised to lead the side again, having stood in on half-a-dozen occasions when the fast bowler has been sidelined, winning five of those Tests.

“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

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