The Australian skipper has secured 309 Test scalps in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
The Australian chair of selectors the selector has declared that captain Pat Cummins will be a central figure in the forthcoming England-Australia contest.
There were concerns that the veteran bowler might miss the series due to a persistent back stress problem that was still troubling him.
Previous updates from the squad suggested no official announcement had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the Test matches scheduled to begin on the 21st of November in Western Australia.
Bailey expressed that the captain is progressing and remained hopeful about the likelihood of being involved.
"We're aware that the window is narrowing and multiple considerations involved, not just the back issue, but other factors as well," the selector added.
"The outlook is good. We firmly believe that he'll participate in a significant role. Hopefully it's the first Test. Should that not happen, we'll reassess."
Past Concerns
Cummins was ruled out the white-ball matches against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals recently after examinations confirmed a lower back issue.
Previous incidents include of back injuries, with setbacks in several earlier campaigns causing him to miss multiple domestic campaigns in four years.
He emphasized he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his recovery plan to ensure his availability for the Ashes.
Bailey noted that it was unclear if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his recovery but admitted it was "getting tight" for him to be fit for the opener.
Contingency Plans
In case of absence, ex-skipper Smith will lead the side.
All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from the national team for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a precautionary measure because of an abdominal issue.
Bailey described it as a "slight concern and confirmed that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "in a good place to resume bowling."
"We put so much time has gone into creating the schedule for him to take part for the opening match as an all-rounder," Bailey explained.
"His involvement was limited to the initial matches regardless. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, should it hinder progress for a short period, we opted to approach this more conservatively."
Series Schedule
Australia vs England: The Ashes
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
