The Australian skipper has secured 309 wickets in 71 Test matches with an impressive average.
The Australian chief selector Bailey has stated that captain Pat Cummins will be a central figure in this winter's Ashes series.
There were concerns that Cummins might be unavailable due to a persistent back stress problem that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from team management suggested no final decision had been made regarding whether he would play, with the Test matches set to start on November 21 in the WACA.
The selector shared that the captain is progressing and felt positive about the prospects of participating.
"We know that time is getting short and various factors at play, not just the back issue, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.
"It's positive. [We are] really confident that he's going to play a key capacity. Hopefully starting in Perth. Otherwise, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
The captain missed the white-ball matches against India and New Zealand last month after medical tests showed a stress reaction in his back.
There is a track record of back injuries, with setbacks in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 causing him to miss multiple domestic campaigns in a limited period.
He emphasized he would be proactive in his approach in his comeback strategy to make the squad for the contest.
The selector indicated that it was unclear if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his recovery but conceded it was "pressing" for him to recover fully for the first Test.
Alternative Arrangements
In case of absence, former captain Steve Smith will assume leadership.
All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from the national team for their ODI contests against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of an abdominal issue.
Bailey described it as a "minor" injury and mentioned that Green will play in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "ideally positioned to deliver overs."
"Considerable effort has gone into creating the schedule for him to participate for the first Test as an batting and bowling option," he elaborated.
"He was only going to play the initial matches in any case. His aggressive style the bat in limited-overs, if it causes any delay for another day, we just made the decision to take a cautious route."
Series Schedule
The Historic Rivalry
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
