The Australian skipper has secured 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an average of 22.10.
The Australian chief selector the selector has confirmed that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in the upcoming England-Australia contest.
Speculation had been growing that the veteran bowler might miss the series due to a stress fracture in his back that had not yet healed.
Earlier indications from team management suggested no official announcement had been made regarding whether he would play, with the extended contest set to start on November 21 in the WACA.
The selector shared that the captain is progressing and remained hopeful about the prospects of taking part.
"We're aware that the window is narrowing and various factors at play, not just the back issue, but additional elements," he commented.
"We're encouraged. We firmly believe that he will feature a major part. Ideally from the opening match. If not, we'll adjust."
Previous Setbacks
The captain missed the white-ball matches against India and New Zealand last month after scans revealed a lumbar bone stress.
There is a track record of spinal problems, with recurrences in several earlier campaigns leading to absences from three Australian summers in a short span.
Cummins stated he would be proactive in his approach in his recovery plan to ensure his availability for the Ashes.
Bailey noted that there was no confirmation if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his rehabilitation but acknowledged it was "becoming urgent" for him to be fit for the opener.
Contingency Plans
Should Cummins not be fit, ex-skipper Smith will lead the side.
Versatile player Green was withdrawn recently from the national team for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a safety move because of an abdominal issue.
The selector characterized it as a "slight concern and confirmed that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to be ready to bowl."
"Extensive planning has gone into creating the schedule for him to participate for the opening match as an dual-role player," the selector detailed.
"He was only going to play the initial matches anyway. How he handles the bat in limited-overs, even if it just sets him back for another day, we opted to take a cautious route."
Match Calendar
The Ashes: Australia v England
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
