Pat Cummins has secured 309 wickets in 71 five-day games with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's selection chief Bailey has stated that skipper Cummins will be a central figure in this winter's England-Australia contest.
Speculation had been growing that Cummins might sit out due to a stress fracture in his back that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from team management suggested no final decision had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the five-Test series set to start on 21 November in Perth.
The selector shared that Cummins is "building up" and remained hopeful about his chances of taking part.
"We're aware that the window is narrowing and multiple considerations at play, not only the physical problem, but other factors as well," the selector added.
"We're encouraged. [We are] really confident that he will feature a key capacity. With luck it's the first Test. If not, we'll reassess."
Previous Setbacks
He was sidelined the ODI and T20 games against India and New Zealand in the previous weeks after medical tests showed a lower back issue.
He has a history of spinal problems, with flare-ups in multiple past seasons forcing him out of three Australian summers in a limited period.
Cummins stated he would be bold in recovery efforts in his recovery plan to make the squad for the Ashes.
He mentioned that he did not know if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his comeback but admitted it was "pressing" for him to be fit for the first Test.
Alternative Arrangements
If he's unavailable, former captain Steve Smith will take over the captaincy.
All-rounder Cameron Green was excluded lately from the national team for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of discomfort in his torso.
The selector characterized it as a "slight concern and stated that Green will play in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "ideally positioned to resume bowling."
"Extensive planning has gone into building out the plan for him to be available for the opening match as an dual-role player," Bailey explained.
"His involvement was limited to the starting games in any case. The way he swings the willow in shorter formats, should it hinder progress for a short period, we just made the decision to adopt a safer strategy."
Match Calendar
The Historic Rivalry
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
