Pat Cummins has claimed over 300 dismissals in 71 appearances with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's selection chief Bailey has stated that captain Pat Cummins will be a central figure in the forthcoming historic rivalry.
There were concerns that the 32-year-old might miss the series due to a ongoing back issue that remained unresolved.
Initial reports from the squad suggested no definitive call had been made regarding whether he would play, with the five-Test series scheduled to begin on November 21 in Perth.
He revealed that his recovery is on track and felt positive about the likelihood of participating.
"We're aware that the clock is ticking and multiple considerations around that, not only the back issue, but additional elements," Bailey remarked.
"It's positive. [We are] really confident that he's going to play a significant role. Hopefully it's the first Test. Should that not happen, then we'll pick it up."
Past Concerns
He was sidelined Australia's limited-overs series against India and New Zealand in the previous weeks after scans revealed a lumbar bone stress.
Previous incidents include of spinal problems, with setbacks in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 forcing him out of several home seasons in four years.
He emphasized he would be proactive in his approach in his comeback strategy to ensure his availability for the contest.
He mentioned that it was unclear if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his rehabilitation but conceded it was "pressing" for him to regain fitness for the opener.
Backup Options
In case of absence, ex-skipper Smith will take over the captaincy.
The talented all-rounder was withdrawn recently from the ODI lineup for their ODI contests against the Asian giants as a safety move because of soreness in his side.
He labeled it as a "slight concern and stated that Green will play in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "in a good place to deliver overs."
"Extensive planning has gone into creating the schedule for him to be available for the opening match as an all-rounder," the selector detailed.
"His involvement was limited to the starting games anyway. How he handles the willow in shorter formats, should it hinder progress for 24 more hours, we just made the decision to approach this more conservatively."
Fixture Details
Australia vs England: The Ashes
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
