Pat Cummins has claimed 309 wickets in 71 Test matches with an average of 22.10.
The Australian selection chief the selector has declared that pace spearhead Cummins will play a "major part" in the forthcoming historic rivalry.
Rumors had circulated that Cummins might miss the series due to a stress fracture in his back that was still troubling him.
Previous updates from team management suggested no definitive call had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the five-Test series set to start on November 21 in Perth.
Bailey expressed that the captain is progressing and remained hopeful about the likelihood of taking part.
"We're aware that time is getting short and multiple considerations around that, aside from the back issue, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.
"It's positive. We firmly believe that he'll participate in a major part. With luck it's the first Test. If not, we'll reassess."
Past Concerns
The captain missed Australia's limited-overs series against New Zealand and India last month after examinations confirmed a lumbar bone stress.
He has a history of spinal problems, with recurrences in several earlier campaigns forcing him out of several home seasons in a short span.
He emphasized he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" 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 rehabilitation but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to be fit for the first Test.
Backup Options
Should Cummins not be fit, ex-skipper Smith will lead the side.
All-rounder Cameron Green was recently pulled out from the national team for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a safety move because of discomfort in his torso.
Bailey described it as a "minor" injury and confirmed that he'll feature in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "ideally positioned to deliver overs."
"Considerable effort has gone into building out the plan for him to be available for the initial game as an dual-role player," the selector detailed.
"He was only going to play the initial matches in any case. The way he swings the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for 24 more hours, the choice was made to adopt a safer strategy."
Fixture Details
The Ashes: Australia v England
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
