The Australian skipper has claimed over 300 dismissals in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's chair of selectors Bailey has stated that captain Pat Cummins will be a central figure in the forthcoming England-Australia contest.
Rumors had circulated that the veteran bowler might sit out due to a stress fracture in his back that had not yet healed.
Earlier indications from the Australian camp suggested no definitive call had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the five-Test series scheduled to begin on 21 November in Western Australia.
He revealed that his recovery is on track and felt positive about the prospects of taking part.
"We know that the window is narrowing and there are permutations at play, aside from his injury, but other factors as well," the selector added.
"It's positive. [We are] really confident that he'll participate in a key capacity. With luck from the opening match. Should that not happen, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
The captain missed the white-ball matches against New Zealand and India in the previous weeks after medical tests showed a lower back issue.
He has a history of back injuries, with setbacks in multiple past seasons causing him to miss multiple domestic campaigns in a short span.
He emphasized he would be proactive in his approach in his recovery plan to ensure his availability for the Ashes.
The selector indicated that there was no confirmation if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his recovery but conceded it was "pressing" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Alternative Arrangements
If he's unavailable, ex-skipper Smith will assume leadership.
The talented all-rounder was recently pulled out from the ODI lineup for their limited-overs matches against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of an abdominal issue.
The selector characterized it as a "minor" injury and stated that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "ideally positioned to deliver overs."
"We put so much time has gone into creating the schedule for him to participate for the initial game as an dual-role player," Bailey explained.
"He was only going to play the initial matches anyway. His aggressive style the bat in limited-overs, should it hinder progress for 24 more hours, we opted to take a cautious route."
Match Calendar
The Historic Rivalry
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
