Pat Cummins has secured 309 wickets in 71 Test matches with an impressive average.
Australia's chair of selectors the selector has confirmed that skipper Cummins will have a crucial role in this winter's England-Australia contest.
There were concerns that the veteran bowler might be unavailable due to a stress fracture in his back that had not yet healed.
Initial reports from the Australian camp suggested no definitive call had been made regarding whether he would play, with the five-Test series kicking off on November 21 in Western Australia.
He revealed that his recovery is on track and remained hopeful about the prospects of participating.
"We're aware that the window is narrowing and various factors around that, not just his injury, but additional elements," Bailey remarked.
"We're encouraged. [We are] really confident that he will feature a significant role. Hopefully from the opening match. Otherwise, then we'll pick it up."
Injury History
The captain missed Australia's limited-overs series against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals recently after examinations confirmed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of recurring issues, with recurrences in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 leading to absences from three Australian summers in a limited period.
He emphasized he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his recovery plan to ensure his availability for the contest.
Bailey noted that there was no confirmation if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his rehabilitation but conceded it was "pressing" for him to regain fitness for the initial match.
Backup Options
Should Cummins not be fit, ex-skipper Smith will lead the side.
The talented all-rounder was excluded lately from the national team for their limited-overs matches against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of an abdominal issue.
The selector characterized it as a "minor" injury and confirmed that he's scheduled to appear in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "in a good place to be ready to bowl."
"Considerable effort has gone into creating the schedule for him to participate for the opening match as an all-rounder," Bailey explained.
"He was only going to play the starting games anyway. The way he swings the willow in shorter formats, even if it just sets him back for 24 more hours, we opted to adopt a safer strategy."
Fixture Details
Australia vs England: The Ashes
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
