Pat Cummins has taken over 300 dismissals in 71 five-day games with an impressive average.
The Australian selection chief Bailey has stated that pace spearhead Cummins will be a central figure in the upcoming England-Australia contest.
There were concerns that Cummins might be unavailable due to a persistent back stress problem that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from the squad suggested no final decision had been made regarding whether he would play, with the extended contest set to start on 21 November in the WACA.
Bailey expressed that his recovery is on track and felt positive about the likelihood of being involved.
"It's clear that the clock is ticking and there are permutations around that, not just the back issue, but additional elements," he commented.
"We're encouraged. We firmly believe that he will feature a major part. Hopefully starting in Perth. If not, then we'll pick it up."
Past Concerns
Cummins was ruled out the white-ball matches against India and New Zealand in the previous weeks after medical tests showed a stress reaction in his back.
Previous incidents include of recurring issues, with setbacks in multiple past seasons leading to absences from three Australian summers in a short span.
Cummins stated he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his recovery plan to ensure his availability for the Ashes.
He mentioned that he did not know if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his comeback but admitted it was "getting tight" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Alternative Arrangements
If he's unavailable, ex-skipper Smith will lead the side.
All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from the ODI lineup for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a safety move because of discomfort in his torso.
Bailey described it as a "slight concern and stated that he'll feature in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "ideally positioned to resume bowling."
"We put so much time has gone into creating the schedule for him to participate for the opening match as an batting and bowling option," the selector detailed.
"He was only going to play the starting games regardless. His aggressive style the willow in shorter formats, even if it just sets him back for 24 more hours, we just made the decision to take a cautious route."
Match Calendar
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
