Pat Cummins has secured 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an average of 22.10.
The Australian chair of selectors Bailey has stated that skipper Cummins will be a central figure in the forthcoming England-Australia contest.
Rumors had circulated that the veteran bowler might be unavailable due to a stress fracture in his back that remained unresolved.
Earlier indications from team management suggested no definitive call had been made regarding whether he would play, with the five-Test series scheduled to begin on the 21st of November in Western Australia.
The selector shared that his recovery is on track and was "optimistic" about the likelihood of being involved.
"We're aware that time is getting short and multiple considerations involved, not just the physical problem, but other factors as well," he commented.
"The outlook is good. There's strong faith that he's going to play a significant role. Hopefully starting in Perth. If not, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
The captain missed the white-ball matches against New Zealand and India recently after examinations confirmed a stress reaction in his back.
There is a track record of spinal problems, with flare-ups in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 leading to absences from three Australian summers in four years.
He emphasized he would be proactive in his approach in his rehabilitation process to ensure his availability for the Ashes.
The selector indicated that there was no confirmation if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his comeback but admitted it was "pressing" for him to recover fully for the first Test.
Backup Options
Should Cummins not be fit, former captain Steve Smith will assume leadership.
All-rounder Cameron Green was recently pulled out from Australia's squad for their ODI contests against the subcontinent side as a safety move because of discomfort in his torso.
The selector characterized it as a "small issue and stated 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 opening match as an batting and bowling option," the selector detailed.
"He was only going to play the starting games in any case. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, if it causes any delay for a short period, we opted to take a cautious route."
Match Calendar
The Ashes: Australia v England
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
