Pat Cummins has taken 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's chair of selectors Bailey has stated that skipper Cummins will play a "major part" in the forthcoming Ashes series.
Rumors had circulated that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a stress fracture in his back that was still troubling him.
Previous updates from the Australian camp suggested no definitive call had been made regarding his involvement, with the Test matches scheduled to begin on November 21 in Western Australia.
The selector shared that Cummins is "building up" and remained hopeful about the likelihood of taking part.
"It's clear that the clock is ticking and various factors around that, not only the back issue, but other factors as well," the selector added.
"The outlook is good. [We are] really confident that he's going to play a significant role. With luck starting in Perth. Should that not happen, we'll adjust."
Injury History
The captain missed the white-ball matches against New Zealand and India recently after scans revealed a lumbar bone stress.
There is a track record of spinal problems, with flare-ups in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 causing him to miss multiple domestic campaigns in a short span.
The bowler mentioned he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his comeback strategy to secure his spot for the series.
He mentioned that it was unclear if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his comeback but admitted it was "pressing" for him to be fit for the opener.
Alternative Arrangements
In case of absence, ex-skipper Smith will lead the side.
Versatile player Green was withdrawn recently from the ODI lineup for their one-day international series against the Asian giants as a safety move because of soreness in his side.
Bailey described it as a "small issue and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "well-prepared to deliver overs."
"Extensive planning has gone into creating the schedule for him to participate for the initial game as an batting and bowling option," the selector detailed.
"He was only going to play the initial matches in any case. How he handles the bat in limited-overs, even if it just sets him back for a short period, we opted to take a cautious route."
Fixture Details
The Ashes: Australia v England
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
