Pat Cummins has secured 309 wickets in 71 five-day games with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's selection chief Bailey has declared that pace spearhead 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 remained unresolved.
Earlier indications from the squad suggested no definitive call had been made regarding his involvement, with the extended contest kicking off on the 21st of November in Perth.
He revealed that his recovery is on track and was "optimistic" about the likelihood of taking part.
"It's clear that time is getting short and there are permutations around that, aside from the physical problem, but further aspects," he commented.
"The outlook is good. We firmly believe that he will feature a key capacity. Hopefully from the opening match. Otherwise, then we'll pick it up."
Past Concerns
He was sidelined Australia's limited-overs series against New Zealand and India last month after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of spinal problems, with setbacks in several earlier campaigns causing him to miss multiple domestic campaigns in a limited period.
Cummins stated he would be proactive in his approach in his recovery plan to secure his spot for the contest.
Bailey noted that it was unclear if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his recovery but admitted it was "getting tight" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Contingency Plans
Should Cummins not be fit, ex-skipper Smith will take over the captaincy.
All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from Australia's squad for their ODI contests against the Asian giants as a preventive step because of an abdominal issue.
He labeled it as a "slight concern and confirmed that he'll feature in the state-level matches, so will be "ideally positioned to resume bowling."
"Considerable effort has gone into developing the strategy for him to be available for the initial game as an dual-role player," he elaborated.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the starting games anyway. His aggressive style the willow in shorter formats, even if it just sets him back for 24 more hours, we just made the decision to approach this more conservatively."
Series Schedule
The Ashes: Australia v England
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
