Pat Cummins has secured over 300 dismissals in 71 appearances with an average of 22.10.
Australia's chair of selectors the selector has declared that skipper Cummins will have a crucial role in the forthcoming Ashes series.
Rumors had circulated that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a ongoing back issue that was still troubling him.
Initial reports from team management suggested no definitive call had been made regarding whether he would play, with the five-Test series kicking off on 21 November in Perth.
Bailey expressed that the captain is progressing and felt positive about the prospects of being involved.
"We know that the window is narrowing and multiple considerations at play, not just his injury, but further aspects," Bailey remarked.
"It's positive. We firmly believe that he's going to play a major part. With luck starting in Perth. Otherwise, we'll reassess."
Injury History
Cummins was ruled out the white-ball matches against India and New Zealand last month after scans revealed a lower back issue.
He has a history of spinal problems, with setbacks in multiple past seasons leading to absences from several home seasons in a limited period.
He emphasized he would be bold in recovery efforts in his rehabilitation process to make the squad for the contest.
The selector indicated that it was unclear if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his rehabilitation but conceded it was "becoming urgent" for him to be fit for the initial match.
Alternative Arrangements
Should Cummins not be fit, former captain Steve Smith will assume leadership.
The talented all-rounder was withdrawn recently from the national team for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of discomfort in his torso.
He labeled it as a "slight concern and stated that Green will play in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "ideally positioned to deliver overs."
"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to participate for the opening match as an all-rounder," Bailey explained.
"He was only going to play the starting games anyway. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, if it causes any delay for 24 more hours, we just made the decision to take a cautious route."
Series Schedule
The Historic Rivalry
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
