Pat Cummins has secured 309 wickets in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
The Australian chief selector Bailey has confirmed that captain Pat Cummins will play a "major part" in the upcoming historic rivalry.
There were concerns that Cummins might miss the series due to a ongoing back issue that remained unresolved.
Earlier indications from the squad suggested no final decision had been made regarding whether he would play, with the five-Test series scheduled to begin on 21 November in the WACA.
He revealed that his recovery is on track and was "optimistic" about the likelihood of taking part.
"It's clear that the window is narrowing and multiple considerations at play, not just the physical problem, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.
"The outlook is good. There's strong faith that he's going to play a major part. With luck it's the first Test. If not, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
Cummins was ruled out the white-ball matches against India and New Zealand recently after examinations confirmed a lumbar bone stress.
There is a track record of back injuries, with setbacks in several earlier campaigns leading to absences from multiple domestic campaigns in a limited period.
The bowler mentioned he would be proactive in his approach in his comeback strategy to ensure his availability for the contest.
The selector indicated that there was no confirmation if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his rehabilitation but admitted it was "getting tight" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Contingency Plans
In case of absence, veteran batsman Smith will take over the captaincy.
The talented all-rounder was recently pulled out from Australia's squad for their limited-overs matches against the subcontinent side as a precautionary measure because of an abdominal issue.
The selector characterized it as a "minor" injury and confirmed that Green will play in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "ideally positioned to resume bowling."
"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to be available for the opening match as an dual-role player," he elaborated.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the starting games regardless. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, if it causes any delay for a short period, the choice was made to adopt a safer strategy."
Fixture Details
Australia vs England: The Ashes
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
