Pat Cummins has claimed over 300 dismissals in 71 Test matches with an average of 22.10.
The Australian chief selector the selector has confirmed that skipper Cummins will have a crucial role in the forthcoming Ashes series.
There were concerns that the 32-year-old 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 his involvement, with the Test matches set to start on the 21st of November in Western Australia.
He revealed that the captain is progressing and remained hopeful about the prospects of taking part.
"We're aware that time is getting short and multiple considerations around that, not just his injury, but additional elements," Bailey remarked.
"We're encouraged. There's strong faith that he'll participate in a key capacity. With luck from the opening match. Should that not happen, then we'll pick it up."
Previous Setbacks
The captain missed the white-ball matches against India and New Zealand last month after examinations confirmed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of spinal problems, with setbacks in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 forcing him out of several home seasons in four years.
Cummins stated he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his rehabilitation process to secure his spot for the series.
He mentioned that it was unclear if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his recovery but admitted it was "getting tight" for him to be fit for the initial match.
Contingency Plans
Should Cummins not be fit, veteran batsman Smith will assume leadership.
All-rounder Cameron Green was excluded lately from Australia's squad for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a precautionary measure because of soreness in his side.
He labeled it as a "small issue and confirmed that he's scheduled to appear in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "ideally positioned to deliver overs."
"We put so much time has gone into developing the strategy for him to take part for the initial game as an batting and bowling option," Bailey explained.
"His involvement was limited to the first two ODIs regardless. How he handles the willow in shorter formats, even if it just sets him back for 24 more hours, we just made the decision to approach this more conservatively."
Series Schedule
Australia vs England: The Ashes
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
