Pat Cummins has claimed 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an average of 22.10.
The Australian chair of selectors Bailey has declared that captain Pat Cummins will play a "major part" in the forthcoming historic rivalry.
There were concerns that Cummins might sit out due to a ongoing back issue that had not yet healed.
Earlier indications from the Australian camp suggested no final decision had been made regarding his involvement, with the five-Test series kicking off on 21 November in Western Australia.
Bailey expressed that Cummins is "building up" and felt positive about the likelihood of participating.
"It's clear that time is getting short and there are permutations around that, aside from his injury, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.
"The outlook is good. There's strong faith that he's going to play a significant role. Hopefully it's the first Test. Should that not happen, we'll reassess."
Past Concerns
He was sidelined Australia's limited-overs series against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals last month after examinations confirmed a stress reaction in his back.
Previous incidents include of back injuries, with setbacks in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 causing him to miss several home seasons in a short span.
He emphasized he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his rehabilitation process to make the squad for the Ashes.
He mentioned that it was unclear if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his rehabilitation but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to be fit for the first Test.
Backup Options
In case of absence, veteran batsman Smith will lead the side.
All-rounder Cameron Green was recently pulled out from Australia's squad for their ODI contests against India as a safety move because of an abdominal issue.
He labeled it as a "minor" injury and mentioned that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "in a good place to be ready to bowl."
"Considerable effort has gone into building out the plan for him to take part for the initial game as an dual-role player," he elaborated.
"His involvement was limited to the initial matches in any case. His aggressive style the bat in limited-overs, should it hinder progress for 24 more hours, we opted to approach this more conservatively."
Fixture Details
The Ashes: Australia v England
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
