Pat Cummins has taken 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an average of 22.10.
The Australian chair of selectors the selector has declared that skipper Cummins will have a crucial role in the forthcoming Ashes series.
Rumors had circulated that the 32-year-old might miss the series due to a ongoing back issue that was still troubling him.
Earlier indications from the squad suggested no final decision had been made regarding whether he would play, with the Test matches kicking off on the 21st of November in the WACA.
He revealed that the captain is progressing and felt positive about the prospects of being involved.
"We know that the window is narrowing and there are permutations around that, aside from the back issue, but additional elements," he commented.
"The outlook is good. [We are] really confident that he's going to play a key capacity. With luck from the opening match. If not, then we'll pick it up."
Injury History
He was sidelined Australia's limited-overs series against India and New Zealand last month after examinations confirmed a stress reaction in his back.
Previous incidents include of recurring issues, with setbacks in several earlier campaigns forcing him out of multiple domestic campaigns in a short span.
The bowler mentioned he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his comeback strategy to secure his spot for the Ashes.
Bailey noted that there was no confirmation if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his comeback but admitted it was "getting tight" for him to be fit for the opener.
Contingency Plans
If he's unavailable, former captain Steve Smith will take over the captaincy.
All-rounder Cameron Green was recently pulled out from Australia's squad for their ODI contests against the Asian giants as a safety move because of soreness in his side.
The selector characterized it as a "minor" injury and stated that Green will play in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "in a good place to deliver overs."
"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to participate for the first Test as an dual-role player," Bailey explained.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the first two ODIs in any case. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for 24 more hours, we just made the decision to take a cautious route."
Match Calendar
The Ashes: Australia v England
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
