Pat Cummins has taken over 300 dismissals in 71 Test matches with an average of 22.10.
Australia's chair of selectors Bailey has declared that skipper Cummins will play a "major part" in the forthcoming England-Australia contest.
Speculation had been growing that Cummins might sit out due to a ongoing back issue that had not yet healed.
Previous updates from team management suggested no definitive call had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the Test matches scheduled to begin on 21 November in Perth.
The selector shared that his recovery is on track and remained hopeful about his chances of participating.
"We're aware that the window is narrowing and multiple considerations involved, aside from the physical problem, but further aspects," he commented.
"We're encouraged. We firmly believe that he will feature a significant role. With luck from the opening match. Should that not happen, we'll adjust."
Previous Setbacks
Cummins was ruled out the ODI and T20 games against India and New Zealand recently after scans revealed a lower back issue.
Previous incidents include of spinal problems, with recurrences in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 causing him to miss multiple domestic campaigns in a short span.
He emphasized he would be proactive in his approach in his recovery plan to make the squad for the contest.
Bailey noted that there was no confirmation if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his rehabilitation but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Backup Options
Should Cummins not be fit, ex-skipper Smith will lead the side.
Versatile player Green was excluded lately from the ODI lineup for their ODI contests against India as a safety move because of soreness in his side.
Bailey described it as a "small issue and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to be ready to bowl."
"Considerable effort has gone into building out the plan for him to take part for the opening match as an all-rounder," the selector detailed.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the initial matches in any case. How he handles the willow in shorter formats, if it causes any delay for 24 more hours, we just made the decision to approach this more conservatively."
Match Calendar
The Ashes: Australia v England
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
