Pat Cummins has claimed 309 wickets in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
The Australian selection chief the selector has confirmed that skipper Cummins will be a central figure in the upcoming historic rivalry.
There were concerns that the veteran bowler might miss the series due to a persistent back stress problem that remained unresolved.
Earlier indications from team management suggested no definitive call had been made regarding his involvement, with the five-Test series set to start on November 21 in the WACA.
The selector shared that Cummins is "building up" and was "optimistic" about the prospects of being involved.
"We know that time is getting short and multiple considerations at play, aside from his injury, but additional elements," Bailey remarked.
"It's positive. We firmly believe that he will feature a key capacity. With luck from the opening match. Should that not happen, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
The captain missed the white-ball matches against New Zealand and India last month after examinations confirmed a lumbar bone stress.
There is a track record of back injuries, with setbacks in several earlier campaigns forcing him out of multiple domestic campaigns in four years.
He emphasized he would be proactive in his approach in his recovery plan to secure his spot for the Ashes.
Bailey noted that he did not know if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his recovery but acknowledged it was "becoming urgent" for him to be fit for the initial match.
Contingency Plans
Should Cummins not be fit, veteran batsman Smith will lead the side.
Versatile player Green was excluded lately from Australia's squad for their limited-overs matches against India as a preventive step because of discomfort in his torso.
Bailey described it as a "slight concern and mentioned that he'll feature in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "in a good place to be ready to bowl."
"We put so much time has gone into building out the plan for him to participate for the first Test as an batting and bowling option," the selector detailed.
"His involvement was limited to the starting games in any case. The way he swings the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, if it causes any delay for 24 more hours, we just made the decision to approach this more conservatively."
Series Schedule
Australia vs England: The Ashes
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
