Pat Cummins has taken over 300 dismissals in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
The Australian chief selector Bailey has confirmed that captain Pat Cummins will be a central figure in the upcoming England-Australia contest.
There were concerns that the veteran bowler might sit out due to a ongoing back issue that was still troubling him.
Earlier indications from the Australian camp suggested no definitive call had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the extended contest scheduled to begin on the 21st of November in Perth.
Bailey expressed that the captain is progressing and was "optimistic" about his chances of being involved.
"We're aware that the clock is ticking and there are permutations involved, not only his injury, but further aspects," he commented.
"It's positive. [We are] really confident that he's going to play a significant role. With luck it's the first Test. Otherwise, we'll adjust."
Injury History
The captain missed the white-ball matches against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals in the previous weeks after examinations confirmed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of recurring issues, with setbacks in multiple past seasons causing him to miss several home seasons in four years.
The bowler mentioned he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his recovery plan to make the squad for the contest.
Bailey noted that there was no confirmation if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his comeback but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to recover fully for the opener.
Contingency Plans
In case of absence, ex-skipper Smith will assume leadership.
The talented all-rounder was withdrawn recently from Australia's squad for their limited-overs matches against the Asian giants as a safety move because of an abdominal issue.
Bailey described it as a "small issue and confirmed that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "in a good place to be ready to bowl."
"We put so much time has gone into building out the plan for him to take part for the first Test as an all-rounder," Bailey explained.
"His involvement was limited to the initial matches anyway. His aggressive style the willow in shorter formats, if it causes any delay for another day, we opted to approach this more conservatively."
Fixture Details
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
