The Australian skipper has taken 309 Test scalps in 71 Test matches with an impressive average.
The Australian selection chief the selector has stated that captain Pat Cummins will be a central figure in this winter's England-Australia contest.
There were concerns that the 32-year-old might miss the series due to a stress fracture in his back that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from team management suggested no definitive call had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the five-Test series set to start on 21 November in Western Australia.
Bailey expressed that the captain is progressing and felt positive about the prospects of taking part.
"It's clear that the clock is ticking and various factors involved, not only the physical problem, but other factors as well," the selector added.
"It's positive. We firmly believe that he'll participate in a significant role. Ideally starting in Perth. Should that not happen, we'll reassess."
Injury History
Cummins was ruled out the white-ball matches against India and New Zealand in the previous weeks after medical tests showed a lumbar bone stress.
There is a track record of back injuries, with setbacks in several earlier campaigns leading to absences from several home seasons in four years.
The bowler mentioned he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his rehabilitation process to secure his spot for the Ashes.
Bailey noted that he did not know if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his comeback but acknowledged it was "becoming urgent" for him to be fit for the initial match.
Backup Options
In case of absence, ex-skipper Smith will assume leadership.
The talented all-rounder was excluded lately from the ODI lineup for their ODI contests against the Asian giants as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.
Bailey described it as a "minor" injury and confirmed that Green will play in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "in a good place to be ready to bowl."
"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to be available for the initial game as an dual-role player," the selector detailed.
"He was only going to play the first two ODIs regardless. How he handles the bat in limited-overs, even if it just sets him back for another day, we opted to approach this more conservatively."
Series Schedule
The Historic Rivalry
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
