The pace bowler has taken 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an average of 22.10.
Australia's chair of selectors Bailey has stated that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in this winter's Ashes series.
There were concerns that the veteran bowler might be unavailable due to a persistent back stress problem that was still troubling him.
Initial reports from the squad suggested no official announcement had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the Test matches kicking off on the 21st of November in Western Australia.
He revealed that Cummins is "building up" and felt positive about the likelihood of being involved.
"We're aware that time is getting short and various factors involved, aside from the physical problem, but further aspects," he commented.
"The outlook is good. There's strong faith that he's going to play a key capacity. With luck it's the first Test. Otherwise, we'll adjust."
Injury History
Cummins was ruled out the ODI and T20 games against India and New Zealand in the previous weeks after examinations confirmed a lumbar bone stress.
There is a track record of recurring issues, with setbacks in several earlier campaigns forcing him out of multiple domestic campaigns in a short span.
Cummins stated he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his rehabilitation process to make the squad for the series.
He mentioned that he did not know if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his comeback but admitted it was "becoming urgent" for him to regain fitness for the first Test.
Contingency Plans
If he's unavailable, veteran batsman Smith will take over the captaincy.
All-rounder Cameron Green was recently pulled out from Australia's squad for their one-day international series against India as a safety move because of an abdominal issue.
Bailey described it as a "slight concern and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "ideally positioned to resume bowling."
"Considerable effort has gone into developing the strategy for him to be available for the initial game as an batting and bowling option," he elaborated.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the starting games anyway. How he handles the willow in shorter formats, if it causes any delay for another day, we opted to adopt a safer strategy."
Fixture Details
The Ashes: Australia v England
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
