Pat Cummins has claimed 309 Test scalps in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's chief selector Bailey has declared that captain Pat Cummins will be a central figure in the upcoming historic rivalry.
There were concerns that the veteran bowler might sit out due to a stress fracture in his back that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from the squad suggested no official announcement had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the Test matches kicking off on the 21st of November in Perth.
He revealed that Cummins is "building up" and remained hopeful about the prospects of participating.
"We're aware that the clock is ticking and various factors at play, not just the back issue, but further aspects," the selector added.
"The outlook is good. We firmly believe that he'll participate in a major part. With luck starting in Perth. Should that not happen, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
Cummins was ruled out the white-ball matches against New Zealand and India in the previous weeks after medical tests showed a lumbar bone stress.
He has a history of back injuries, with recurrences in multiple past seasons causing him to miss three Australian summers in a limited period.
Cummins stated he would be proactive in his approach in his comeback strategy to secure his spot for the Ashes.
Bailey noted that there was no confirmation if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his comeback but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to regain fitness for the first Test.
Contingency Plans
If he's unavailable, veteran batsman Smith will assume leadership.
The talented all-rounder was recently pulled out from the ODI lineup for their ODI contests against India as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.
Bailey described it as a "minor" injury and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "ideally positioned to resume bowling."
"Considerable effort has gone into creating the schedule for him to take part for the opening match as an all-rounder," Bailey explained.
"His involvement was limited to the starting games regardless. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, if it causes any delay for another day, we just made the decision to take a cautious route."
Match Calendar
Australia vs England: The Ashes
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
