Pat Cummins has secured over 300 dismissals in 71 appearances with an stellar bowling average.
The Australian selection chief Bailey has stated that skipper Cummins will play a "major part" in the upcoming Ashes series.
Rumors had circulated that Cummins might be unavailable due to a ongoing back issue that had not yet healed.
Previous updates from the squad suggested no definitive call had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the Test matches kicking off on the 21st of November in the WACA.
The selector shared that his recovery is on track and felt positive about the prospects of taking part.
"We're aware that the clock is ticking and various factors at play, not just the back issue, but further aspects," he commented.
"It's positive. [We are] really confident that he'll participate in a major part. With luck starting in Perth. Should that not happen, then we'll pick it up."
Injury History
He was sidelined the ODI and T20 games against India and New Zealand recently after scans revealed a lower back issue.
He has a history of spinal problems, with flare-ups in multiple past seasons forcing him out of three Australian summers in four years.
The bowler mentioned he would be proactive in his approach in his rehabilitation process to secure his spot for the Ashes.
He mentioned that there was no confirmation if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his comeback but acknowledged it was "becoming urgent" for him to be fit 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 Australia's squad for their ODI contests against India as a safety move because of an abdominal issue.
The selector characterized it as a "minor" injury and mentioned that he'll feature in the state-level matches, so will be "well-prepared to deliver overs."
"Considerable effort has gone into developing the strategy for him to take part for the first Test as an batting and bowling option," he elaborated.
"He was only going to play the initial matches anyway. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, if it causes any delay for a short period, we opted to take a cautious route."
Fixture Details
The Ashes: Australia v England
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
