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,"

See Full Page