The Australian skipper has secured 309 Test scalps in 71 five-day games with an average of 22.10.
Australia's selection chief Bailey has stated that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in the upcoming England-Australia contest.
Speculation had been growing that the 32-year-old might miss the series due to a persistent back stress problem that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from the squad suggested no definitive call had been made regarding whether he would play, with the five-Test series scheduled to begin on the 21st of November in Perth.
He revealed that Cummins is "building up" and was "optimistic" about his chances of being involved.
"We know that the window is narrowing and there are permutations involved, not just the physical problem, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.
"The outlook is good. We firmly believe that he'll participate in a major part. Ideally it's the first Test. Should that not happen, we'll reassess."
Past Concerns
He was sidelined Australia's limited-overs series against New Zealand and India last month after medical tests showed a lower back issue.
There is a track record of spinal problems, with flare-ups in several earlier campaigns leading to absences from multiple domestic campaigns in a short span.
He emphasized he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his recovery plan to make the squad for the Ashes.
He mentioned that there was no confirmation if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his comeback but conceded it was "becoming urgent" for him to recover fully for the first Test.
Backup Options
If he's unavailable, ex-skipper Smith will assume leadership.
All-rounder Cameron Green was recently pulled out from Australia's squad for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a precautionary measure because of an abdominal issue.
Bailey described it as a "minor" injury and stated that Green will play in the state-level matches, so will be "in a good place to resume bowling."
"Considerable effort has gone into developing the strategy for him to take part for the initial game as an dual-role player," Bailey explained.
"He was only going to play the starting games regardless. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, should it hinder progress for another day, we opted to take a cautious route."
Series Schedule
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
