The Australian skipper has secured 309 Test scalps in 71 five-day games with an impressive average.
The Australian selection chief Bailey has stated that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in this winter's Ashes series.
There were concerns that the veteran bowler might miss the series due to a stress fracture in his back that had not yet healed.
Initial reports from the squad suggested no final decision had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the Test matches kicking off on 21 November in Perth.
Bailey expressed that his recovery is on track and felt positive about the prospects of taking part.
"We're aware that the clock is ticking and various factors involved, aside from the physical problem, but other factors as well," the selector added.
"It's positive. There's strong faith that he's going to play a significant role. With luck from the opening match. If not, we'll adjust."
Injury History
Cummins was ruled out Australia's limited-overs series against India and New Zealand in the previous weeks after medical tests showed a lumbar bone stress.
Previous incidents include of back injuries, with recurrences in multiple past seasons forcing him out of multiple domestic campaigns in a short span.
Cummins stated he would be proactive in his approach in his recovery plan to secure his spot for the contest.
He mentioned that there was no confirmation if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his recovery but admitted it was "becoming urgent" for him to regain fitness for the opener.
Backup Options
In case of absence, ex-skipper Smith will take over the captaincy.
Versatile player Green was recently pulled out from the ODI lineup for their limited-overs matches against the Asian giants as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.
He labeled it as a "small issue and confirmed that he'll feature in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "ideally positioned to be ready to bowl."
"We put so much time has gone into developing the strategy for him to take part for the initial game as an batting and bowling option," Bailey explained.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the first two ODIs regardless. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for 24 more hours, we opted to approach this more conservatively."
Series Schedule
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
