The pace bowler has secured 309 wickets in 71 appearances with an impressive average.
The Australian selection chief Bailey has confirmed that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in the upcoming England-Australia contest.
There were concerns that the 32-year-old might be unavailable due to a ongoing back issue that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from team management suggested no final decision had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the Test matches set to start on the 21st of November in the WACA.
He revealed that his recovery is on track and remained hopeful about the prospects of participating.
"It's clear that the clock is ticking and various factors at play, not just his injury, but further aspects," he commented.
"The outlook is good. We firmly believe that he'll participate in a significant role. Hopefully it's the first Test. If not, then we'll pick it up."
Previous Setbacks
He was sidelined Australia's limited-overs series against New Zealand and India last month after medical tests showed a lower back issue.
Previous incidents include of recurring issues, with setbacks in multiple past seasons forcing him out of several home seasons in a limited period.
He emphasized he would be bold in recovery efforts in his rehabilitation process to secure his spot for the Ashes.
The selector indicated that it was unclear if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his comeback but acknowledged it was "getting tight" for him to recover fully for the opener.
Alternative Arrangements
If he's unavailable, ex-skipper Smith will take over the captaincy.
All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from the ODI lineup for their ODI contests against the Asian giants as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.
Bailey described it as a "minor" injury and stated that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "in a good place to be ready to bowl."
"Considerable effort has gone into building out the plan for him to participate for the opening match as an batting and bowling option," the selector detailed.
"He was only going to play the initial matches anyway. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, even if it just sets him back for a short period, we just made the decision to adopt a safer strategy."
Match Calendar
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
