Pat Cummins has taken 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an impressive average.
Australia's chair of selectors the selector has stated that skipper Cummins will play a "major part" in the upcoming England-Australia contest.
There were concerns that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a ongoing back issue that remained unresolved.
Initial reports from the Australian camp suggested no official announcement had been made regarding his involvement, with the five-Test series scheduled to begin on the 21st of November in the WACA.
Bailey expressed that his recovery is on track and felt positive about his chances of taking part.
"We know that the window is narrowing and various factors around that, aside from the back issue, but other factors as well," the selector added.
"We're encouraged. We firmly believe that he will feature a major part. With luck starting in Perth. Otherwise, we'll reassess."
Injury History
He was sidelined Australia's limited-overs series against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals last month after examinations confirmed a stress reaction in his back.
There is a track record of back injuries, with setbacks in multiple past seasons causing him to miss several home seasons in a short span.
The bowler mentioned he would be proactive in his approach in his rehabilitation process to make the squad for the series.
Bailey noted that it was unclear if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his rehabilitation but acknowledged it was "getting tight" for him to be fit for the first Test.
Contingency Plans
If he's unavailable, ex-skipper Smith will take over the captaincy.
The talented all-rounder was withdrawn recently from Australia's squad for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a safety move because of an abdominal issue.
Bailey described it as a "slight concern and stated that he'll feature in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "well-prepared to deliver overs."
"Considerable effort has gone into developing the strategy for him to participate for the opening match as an all-rounder," he elaborated.
"He was only going to play the initial matches anyway. How he handles the bat in limited-overs, even if it just sets him back for a short period, we just made the decision to adopt a safer strategy."
Series Schedule
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
