Pat Cummins has claimed 309 Test scalps in 71 five-day games with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's chief selector the selector has confirmed that pace spearhead Cummins will be a central figure in the forthcoming England-Australia contest.
Rumors had circulated that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a stress fracture in his back that remained unresolved.
Earlier indications from team management suggested no final decision had been made regarding whether he would play, with the Test matches set to start on 21 November in Western Australia.
Bailey expressed that Cummins is "building up" and remained hopeful about the likelihood of taking part.
"We're aware that the clock is ticking and multiple considerations at play, not just his injury, but further aspects," Bailey remarked.
"It's positive. [We are] really confident that he will feature a key capacity. With luck from the opening match. Should that not happen, then we'll pick it up."
Injury History
He was sidelined the ODI and T20 games against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals recently after scans revealed a lumbar bone stress.
Previous incidents include of recurring issues, with recurrences in several earlier campaigns leading to absences from three Australian summers in four years.
He emphasized he would be proactive in his approach in his recovery plan to make the squad for the Ashes.
Bailey noted that he did not know if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his rehabilitation but conceded it was "getting tight" for him to regain fitness for the initial match.
Alternative Arrangements
If he's unavailable, veteran batsman Smith will lead the side.
The talented all-rounder was withdrawn recently from the national team for their one-day international series against India as a precautionary measure because of an abdominal issue.
The selector characterized it as a "minor" injury and confirmed that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to be ready to bowl."
"We put so much time has gone into developing the strategy for him to take part for the opening match as an batting and bowling option," the selector detailed.
"He was only going to play the first two ODIs regardless. How he handles the willow in shorter formats, if it causes any delay for another day, we opted to adopt a safer strategy."
Series Schedule
The Ashes: Australia v England
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
