Pat Cummins has taken 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's chief selector Bailey has stated that skipper Cummins will be a central figure in this winter's England-Australia contest.
Rumors had circulated that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a stress fracture in his back that was still troubling him.
Earlier indications from the squad suggested no definitive call had been made regarding his involvement, with the five-Test series kicking off on November 21 in Western Australia.
He revealed that his recovery is on track and was "optimistic" about the likelihood of taking part.
"We're aware that time is getting short and there are permutations at play, aside from the back issue, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.
"We're encouraged. [We are] really confident that he's going to play a significant role. Hopefully from the opening match. Should that not happen, we'll adjust."
Previous Setbacks
Cummins was ruled out Australia's limited-overs series against India and New Zealand last month after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of recurring issues, with setbacks in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 leading to absences from several home seasons in a short span.
Cummins stated he would be proactive in his approach in his recovery plan to ensure his availability for the contest.
He mentioned that there was no confirmation if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his comeback but acknowledged it was "getting tight" for him to be fit for the initial match.
Backup Options
If he's unavailable, ex-skipper Smith will assume leadership.
Versatile player Green was recently pulled out from the national team for their ODI contests against India as a safety move because of discomfort in his torso.
The selector characterized it as a "slight concern and confirmed that Green will play in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "in a good place to be ready to bowl."
"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 anyway. His aggressive style the willow in shorter formats, should it hinder progress for a short period, the choice was made to approach this more conservatively."
Fixture Details
The Ashes: Australia v England
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
