Pat Cummins has secured 309 wickets in 71 appearances with an impressive average.
Australia's chair of selectors the selector has confirmed that pace spearhead Cummins will play a "major part" in the upcoming Ashes series.
Rumors had circulated that the veteran bowler might be unavailable due to a ongoing back issue that remained unresolved.
Earlier indications from team management suggested no official announcement had been made regarding whether he would play, with the Test matches set to start on November 21 in Perth.
Bailey expressed that the captain is progressing and was "optimistic" about the likelihood of taking part.
"We know that the clock is ticking and there are permutations involved, not just the physical problem, but other factors as well," the selector added.
"We're encouraged. We firmly believe that he will feature a significant role. Ideally it's the first Test. Otherwise, we'll reassess."
Injury History
The captain missed the white-ball matches against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals last month after examinations confirmed a lumbar bone stress.
Previous incidents include of back injuries, with setbacks in multiple past seasons forcing him out of multiple domestic campaigns in a limited period.
Cummins stated he would be proactive in his approach in his rehabilitation process to secure his spot for the Ashes.
The selector indicated that there was no confirmation if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his recovery but conceded it was "pressing" for him to recover fully for the opener.
Alternative Arrangements
Should Cummins not be fit, former captain Steve Smith will lead the side.
Versatile player Green was excluded lately from the national team for their limited-overs matches against the subcontinent side as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.
The selector characterized it as a "slight concern and confirmed that he'll feature in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "in a good place to deliver overs."
"We put so much time has gone into creating the schedule for him to take part for the initial game as an batting and bowling option," the selector detailed.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the initial matches regardless. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, even if it just sets him back for another day, we opted to adopt a safer strategy."
Series Schedule
Australia vs England: The Ashes
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
