Pat Cummins has taken 309 Test scalps in 71 five-day games with an average of 22.10.
The Australian chair of selectors Bailey has confirmed that skipper Cummins will play a "major part" in the forthcoming Ashes series.
Rumors had circulated that the 32-year-old might miss the series due to a persistent back stress problem that had not yet healed.
Earlier indications from team management suggested no final decision had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the Test matches kicking off on 21 November in the WACA.
He revealed that Cummins is "building up" and remained hopeful about his chances of participating.
"We know that the clock is ticking and various factors involved, not just the physical problem, but further aspects," Bailey remarked.
"The outlook is good. We firmly believe that he will feature a significant role. With luck it's the first Test. Should that not happen, then we'll pick it up."
Past Concerns
The captain missed Australia's limited-overs series against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals recently after scans revealed a lumbar bone stress.
He has a history of back injuries, with recurrences in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 leading to absences from several home seasons in a short span.
He emphasized he would be proactive in his approach in his rehabilitation process to secure his spot for the series.
Bailey noted that it was unclear if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his recovery but conceded it was "pressing" for him to be fit for the first Test.
Contingency Plans
Should Cummins not be fit, former captain Steve Smith will take over the captaincy.
Versatile player Green was recently pulled out from Australia's squad for their one-day international series against the Asian giants as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.
He labeled 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 resume bowling."
"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to participate for the opening match as an all-rounder," he elaborated.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the starting games in any case. His aggressive style the bat in limited-overs, if it causes any delay for 24 more hours, we just made the decision to adopt a safer strategy."
Fixture Details
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
