The pace bowler has taken over 300 dismissals in 71 Test matches with an average of 22.10.
The Australian chair of selectors the selector has stated that captain Pat Cummins will play a "major part" in the upcoming historic rivalry.
Rumors had circulated that Cummins might miss the series due to a ongoing back issue that had not yet healed.
Earlier indications from the Australian camp suggested no official announcement had been made regarding whether he would play, with the five-Test series scheduled to begin on the 21st of November in Western Australia.
The selector shared that his recovery is on track and felt positive about the prospects of being involved.
"It's clear that the window is narrowing and there are permutations around that, aside from the physical problem, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.
"It's positive. [We are] really confident that he's going to play a major part. Hopefully starting in Perth. Otherwise, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
The captain missed Australia's limited-overs series against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals in the previous weeks after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.
Previous incidents include of spinal problems, with recurrences in several earlier campaigns causing him to miss three Australian summers in a short span.
He emphasized he would be proactive in his approach in his comeback strategy to ensure his availability for the contest.
The selector indicated that he did not know if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his recovery but admitted it was "becoming urgent" for him to regain fitness for the first Test.
Backup Options
If he's unavailable, former captain Steve Smith will take over the captaincy.
The talented all-rounder was recently pulled out from the national team for their limited-overs matches against India as a preventive step because of soreness in his side.
The selector characterized it as a "minor" injury and stated that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "ideally positioned to be ready to bowl."
"Considerable effort has gone into developing the strategy for him to participate for the initial game as an all-rounder," Bailey explained.
"He was only going to play the initial matches regardless. His aggressive style the bat in limited-overs, if it causes any delay for another day, the choice was made to take a cautious route."
Series Schedule
Australia vs England: The Ashes
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
