Pat Cummins has taken 309 wickets in 71 five-day games with an impressive average.
Australia's chief selector Bailey has confirmed that captain Pat Cummins will be a central figure in the upcoming Ashes series.
There were concerns that the veteran bowler might sit out due to a ongoing back issue that was still troubling him.
Earlier indications from team management suggested no definitive call had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the five-Test series set to start on the 21st of November in the WACA.
Bailey expressed that the captain is progressing and remained hopeful about his chances of taking part.
"It's clear that the clock is ticking and various factors around that, aside from his injury, but additional elements," he commented.
"We're encouraged. We firmly believe that he's going to play a major part. Ideally starting in Perth. If not, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
The captain missed the ODI and T20 games against India and New Zealand recently after medical tests showed a stress reaction in his back.
Previous incidents include of back injuries, with setbacks in multiple past seasons forcing him out of several home seasons in four years.
Cummins stated he would be bold in recovery efforts in his recovery plan to secure his spot for the Ashes.
Bailey noted that there was no confirmation if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his rehabilitation but conceded it was "getting tight" for him to be fit for the initial match.
Contingency Plans
Should Cummins not be fit, veteran batsman Smith will lead the side.
The talented all-rounder was withdrawn recently from the national team for their limited-overs matches against the Asian giants as a precautionary measure because of soreness in his side.
The selector characterized it as a "minor" injury and mentioned 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 participate for the initial game as an dual-role player," the selector detailed.
"His involvement was limited to the initial matches in any case. 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."
Series Schedule
The Ashes: Australia v England
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
