Pat Cummins has claimed 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an average of 22.10.
Australia's selection chief Bailey has confirmed that skipper Cummins will have a crucial role in the upcoming historic rivalry.
There were concerns that Cummins might miss the series due to a persistent back stress problem that was still troubling him.
Initial reports from team management suggested no final decision had been made regarding his involvement, with the extended contest kicking off on November 21 in Perth.
Bailey expressed that the captain is progressing and was "optimistic" about his chances of participating.
"It's clear that the clock is ticking and multiple considerations involved, aside from the physical problem, but other factors as well," he commented.
"We're encouraged. [We are] really confident that he'll participate in a significant role. With luck from the opening match. If not, then we'll pick it up."
Past Concerns
Cummins was ruled out Australia's limited-overs series against New Zealand and India last month after scans revealed a lower back issue.
There is a track record of back injuries, with recurrences in multiple past seasons causing him to miss several home seasons in a short span.
The bowler mentioned he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his recovery plan to secure his spot for the series.
Bailey noted that there was no confirmation if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his recovery but admitted it was "becoming urgent" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Alternative Arrangements
Should Cummins not be fit, ex-skipper Smith will lead the side.
All-rounder Cameron Green was excluded lately from the national team for their one-day international series against the Asian giants as a safety move because of soreness in his side.
He labeled it as a "slight concern and confirmed that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "ideally positioned to resume bowling."
"Considerable effort has gone into building out the plan for him to take part for the first Test as an all-rounder," the selector detailed.
"His involvement was limited to the first two ODIs anyway. His aggressive style the willow in shorter formats, even if it just sets him back for a short period, we opted to adopt a safer strategy."
Match Calendar
The Ashes: Australia v England
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
