Pat Cummins has taken 309 wickets in 71 five-day games with an impressive average.
Australia's selection chief Bailey has confirmed that skipper Cummins will be a central figure in the upcoming England-Australia contest.
Rumors had circulated that the veteran bowler might miss the series due to a persistent back stress problem that was still troubling him.
Previous updates from team management suggested no official announcement had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the extended contest kicking off on the 21st of November in Western Australia.
He revealed that the captain is progressing and felt positive about the prospects of taking part.
"We're aware that the window is narrowing and various factors involved, not just the back issue, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.
"We're encouraged. We firmly believe that he will feature a significant role. With luck starting in Perth. If not, we'll reassess."
Injury History
He was sidelined the ODI and T20 games against New Zealand and India in the previous weeks after scans revealed a lumbar bone stress.
There is a track record of back injuries, with flare-ups in several earlier campaigns causing him to miss three Australian summers in a short span.
He emphasized he would be bold in recovery efforts in his comeback strategy to ensure his availability for the series.
Bailey noted that it was unclear if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his rehabilitation but admitted it was "becoming urgent" for him to be fit for the first Test.
Backup Options
Should Cummins not be fit, ex-skipper Smith will assume leadership.
All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from the national team for their ODI contests against India as a precautionary measure because of soreness in his side.
He labeled it as a "minor" injury and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "ideally positioned to resume bowling."
"We put so much time has gone into developing the strategy for him to take part for the first Test as an batting and bowling option," the selector detailed.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the initial matches regardless. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, if it causes any delay for another day, we opted to take a cautious route."
Series Schedule
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
