Pat Cummins has claimed 309 Test scalps in 71 five-day games with an average of 22.10.
The Australian chief selector Bailey has confirmed that skipper Cummins will be a central figure in the forthcoming historic rivalry.
There were concerns that Cummins might be unavailable due to a stress fracture in his back that was still troubling him.
Earlier indications from the Australian camp suggested no final decision had been made regarding whether he would play, with the extended contest scheduled to begin on November 21 in Western Australia.
He revealed that his recovery is on track and was "optimistic" about the likelihood of participating.
"It's clear that the clock is ticking and various factors involved, aside from the physical problem, but additional elements," Bailey remarked.
"We're encouraged. [We are] really confident that he's going to play a significant role. Hopefully starting in Perth. If not, we'll adjust."
Injury History
The captain missed the white-ball matches against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals in the previous weeks after examinations confirmed a stress reaction in his back.
Previous incidents include of back injuries, with flare-ups in several earlier campaigns 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 ensure his availability for the Ashes.
The selector indicated that it was unclear if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his comeback but admitted it was "getting tight" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Backup Options
In case of absence, former captain Steve Smith will take over the captaincy.
All-rounder Cameron Green was excluded lately from Australia's squad for their ODI contests against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of an abdominal issue.
The selector characterized it as a "slight concern and stated that Green will play in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "well-prepared to resume bowling."
"Extensive planning has gone into creating the schedule for him to participate for the opening match as an all-rounder," Bailey explained.
"His involvement was limited to the starting games in any case. His aggressive style the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, if it causes any delay for a short period, we just made the decision to adopt a safer strategy."
Fixture Details
The Historic Rivalry
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
