Pat Cummins has claimed 309 wickets in 71 five-day games with an average of 22.10.
The Australian chair of selectors Bailey has confirmed that pace spearhead Cummins will be a central figure in the upcoming England-Australia contest.
Speculation had been growing that Cummins might be unavailable due to a ongoing back issue that remained unresolved.
Initial reports from the squad suggested no definitive call had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the five-Test series scheduled to begin on 21 November in Western Australia.
The selector shared that his recovery is on track and felt positive about the likelihood of participating.
"It's clear that time is getting short and various factors at play, aside from his injury, but other factors as well," he commented.
"We're encouraged. We firmly believe that he'll participate in a significant role. Ideally starting in Perth. Should that not happen, we'll reassess."
Past Concerns
Cummins was ruled out the white-ball matches against New Zealand and India last month after examinations confirmed a lumbar bone stress.
He has a history of back injuries, with flare-ups in several earlier campaigns leading to absences from several home seasons in a short span.
Cummins stated he would be bold in recovery efforts in his comeback strategy to secure his spot for the Ashes.
Bailey noted that there was no confirmation if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his rehabilitation but admitted it was "pressing" for him to regain fitness for the initial match.
Backup Options
If he's unavailable, ex-skipper Smith will assume leadership.
All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from the national team for their ODI contests against the subcontinent side as a safety move because of an abdominal issue.
He labeled it as a "slight concern and stated that he'll feature in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "in a good place to deliver overs."
"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to be available for the opening match as an dual-role player," he elaborated.
"His involvement was limited to the initial matches anyway. His aggressive style the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for 24 more hours, the choice was made to approach this more conservatively."
Fixture Details
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
