Pat Cummins has taken over 300 dismissals in 71 Test matches with an impressive average.
Australia's chief selector Bailey has declared that captain Pat Cummins will be a central figure in this winter's historic rivalry.
There were concerns that the 32-year-old might miss the series due to a persistent back stress problem that was still troubling him.
Previous updates from team management suggested no official announcement had been made regarding his involvement, with the Test matches set to start on November 21 in the WACA.
He revealed that his recovery is on track and felt positive about his chances of being involved.
"It's clear that the clock is ticking and there are permutations involved, not only the physical problem, but additional elements," the selector added.
"We're encouraged. There's strong faith that he will feature a major part. Ideally it's the first Test. Should that not happen, we'll reassess."
Previous Setbacks
The captain missed the white-ball matches against India and New Zealand recently after medical tests showed a stress reaction in his back.
Previous incidents include of recurring issues, with recurrences in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 leading to absences from several home seasons in a limited period.
Cummins stated he would be proactive in his approach in his comeback strategy to ensure his availability for the series.
Bailey noted that he did not know if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his recovery but conceded it was "getting tight" for him to be fit for the initial match.
Alternative Arrangements
In case of absence, ex-skipper Smith will lead the side.
All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from Australia's squad for their one-day international series against the Asian giants as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.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 Sheffield Shield, so will be "in a good place to resume bowling."
"We put so much time has gone into building out the plan for him to take part for the opening match as an all-rounder," Bailey explained.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the initial matches in any case. The way he swings the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, if it causes any delay for another day, the choice was made to approach this more conservatively."
Fixture Details
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
