Pat Cummins has claimed 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's chief selector Bailey has confirmed that skipper Cummins will be a central figure in this winter's Ashes series.
Rumors had circulated that the 32-year-old might be unavailable due to a ongoing back issue that remained unresolved.
Initial reports from team management suggested no official announcement had been made regarding whether he would play, with the extended contest scheduled to begin on 21 November in Perth.
Bailey expressed that his recovery is on track and was "optimistic" about his chances of being involved.
"We know that the window is narrowing and there are permutations involved, not only the back issue, but other factors as well," the selector added.
"The outlook is good. [We are] really confident that he will feature a significant role. Hopefully it's the first Test. Otherwise, then we'll pick it up."
Previous Setbacks
Cummins was ruled out the white-ball matches against New Zealand and India last month after examinations confirmed a lower back issue.
He has a history of back injuries, with recurrences in multiple past seasons forcing him out of several home seasons in four years.
Cummins stated he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his comeback strategy to ensure his availability for the Ashes.
Bailey noted that there was no confirmation if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his rehabilitation but admitted it was "becoming urgent" for him to recover fully for the opener.
Contingency Plans
Should Cummins not be fit, ex-skipper Smith will take over the captaincy.
Versatile player Green was withdrawn recently from the national team for their limited-overs matches against the Asian giants as a precautionary measure because of an abdominal issue.
The selector characterized it as a "slight concern and stated that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to deliver overs."
"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to take part for the first Test as an all-rounder," he elaborated.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the starting games anyway. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for a short period, we just made the decision to adopt a safer strategy."
Fixture Details
The Ashes: Australia v England
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
