Pat Cummins has taken 309 wickets in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's chief selector Bailey has stated that skipper Cummins will have a crucial role in the upcoming Ashes series.
Speculation had been growing that the 32-year-old might miss the series due to a ongoing back issue that was still troubling him.
Earlier indications from the Australian camp suggested no official announcement had been made regarding whether he would play, with the Test matches set to start on November 21 in Perth.
Bailey expressed that the captain is progressing and was "optimistic" about his chances of being involved.
"We know that the window is narrowing and multiple considerations around that, aside from the physical problem, but other factors as well," the selector added.
"It's positive. We firmly believe that he'll participate in a significant role. Ideally starting in Perth. Should that not happen, we'll adjust."
Injury History
He was sidelined the ODI and T20 games against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals recently after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of back injuries, with flare-ups in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 causing him to miss several home seasons in a short span.
Cummins stated he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his comeback strategy to make the squad for the contest.
He mentioned that he did not know if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his recovery but admitted it was "pressing" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Alternative Arrangements
Should Cummins not be fit, veteran batsman Smith will lead the side.
All-rounder Cameron Green was excluded lately from Australia's squad for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a safety move because of soreness in his side.
He labeled it as a "small issue and stated that he'll feature in the state-level matches, so will be "ideally positioned to deliver overs."
"Extensive planning has gone into building out the plan for him to take part for the opening match as an dual-role player," he elaborated.
"He was only going to play the first two ODIs regardless. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, if it causes any delay for a short period, we just made the decision to take a cautious route."
Series Schedule
The Ashes: Australia v England
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
