Pat Cummins has taken 309 Test scalps in 71 five-day games with an stellar bowling average.
The Australian selection chief the selector has stated that pace spearhead Cummins will have a crucial role in the upcoming England-Australia contest.
There were concerns that the veteran bowler might miss the series due to a ongoing back issue that remained unresolved.
Earlier indications from team management suggested no official announcement had been made regarding whether he would play, with the extended contest kicking off on the 21st of November in Perth.
He revealed that his recovery is on track and felt positive about the likelihood of participating.
"It's clear that time is getting short and various factors around that, not just the physical problem, but further aspects," Bailey remarked.
"It's positive. [We are] really confident that he will feature a key capacity. With luck starting in Perth. Should that not happen, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
The captain missed the white-ball matches against India and New Zealand recently after scans revealed a lumbar bone stress.
He has a history of spinal problems, with flare-ups in multiple past seasons forcing him out of three Australian summers in a limited period.
Cummins stated he would be proactive in his approach in his rehabilitation process to make the squad for the series.
The selector indicated that he did not know if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his recovery but conceded it was "pressing" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Contingency Plans
Should Cummins not be fit, ex-skipper Smith will assume leadership.
The talented all-rounder was recently pulled out from Australia's squad for their limited-overs matches against the subcontinent side as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.
The selector characterized it as a "slight concern and confirmed that he's scheduled to appear in the state-level matches, so will be "ideally positioned to resume bowling."
"We put so much time has gone into building out the plan for him to be available for the opening match as an batting and bowling option," Bailey explained.
"He was only going to play the starting games regardless. His aggressive style the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, if it causes any delay for another day, the choice was made to adopt a safer strategy."
Match Calendar
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
