Pat Cummins has claimed 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an average of 22.10.
The Australian selection chief Bailey has declared that skipper Cummins will be a central figure in the upcoming England-Australia contest.
Rumors had circulated that Cummins might miss the series due to a ongoing back issue that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from the Australian camp suggested no definitive call had been made regarding his involvement, with the extended contest set to start on the 21st of November in the WACA.
The selector shared that the captain is progressing and felt positive about his chances of being involved.
"We're aware that the clock is ticking and multiple considerations involved, not just the physical problem, but additional elements," the selector added.
"It's positive. [We are] really confident that he'll participate in a major part. Ideally starting in Perth. Should that not happen, we'll reassess."
Previous Setbacks
The captain missed the ODI and T20 games against New Zealand and India recently after medical tests showed a lower back issue.
He has a history of back injuries, with recurrences in several earlier campaigns leading to absences from three Australian summers in a short span.
Cummins stated he would be proactive in his approach in his comeback strategy to ensure his availability for the series.
The selector indicated that there was no confirmation if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his comeback but conceded it was "becoming urgent" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Alternative Arrangements
If he's unavailable, former captain Steve Smith will take over the captaincy.
All-rounder Cameron Green was recently pulled out from the ODI lineup for their one-day international series against India as a safety move because of an abdominal issue.
The selector characterized it as a "slight concern and confirmed that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to be ready to bowl."
"Considerable effort has gone into creating the schedule for him to be available for the opening match as an all-rounder," Bailey explained.
"His involvement was limited to the first two ODIs regardless. His aggressive style the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, should it hinder progress for another day, the choice was made to take a cautious route."
Series Schedule
Australia vs England: The Ashes
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
