Pat Cummins has taken 309 wickets in 71 five-day games with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's selection chief Bailey has confirmed that captain Pat Cummins will be a central figure in this winter's Ashes series.
There were concerns that the 32-year-old might miss the series due to a persistent back stress problem that had not yet healed.
Earlier indications from team management suggested no definitive call had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the Test matches kicking off on November 21 in Perth.
Bailey expressed that his recovery is on track and remained hopeful about the likelihood of being involved.
"We're aware that the window is narrowing and there are permutations around that, not just his injury, but additional elements," the selector added.
"It's positive. There's strong faith that he will feature a significant role. With luck from the opening match. Should that not happen, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
He was sidelined Australia's limited-overs series against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals last month after examinations confirmed a lower back issue.
There is a track record of spinal problems, with flare-ups in several earlier campaigns causing him to miss multiple domestic campaigns in a short span.
The bowler mentioned he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his rehabilitation process to secure his spot for the series.
He mentioned that he did not know if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his recovery but admitted it was "getting tight" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Backup Options
In case of absence, ex-skipper Smith will assume leadership.
Versatile player Green was recently pulled out from the ODI lineup for their limited-overs matches against the Asian giants as a preventive step because of an abdominal issue.
The selector characterized it as a "slight concern and stated that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "in a good place to be ready to bowl."
"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to participate for the opening match as an dual-role player," the selector detailed.
"He was only going to play the first two ODIs anyway. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for 24 more hours, we opted to adopt a safer strategy."
Fixture Details
Australia vs England: The Ashes
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
