The Australian skipper has claimed 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an impressive average.
Australia's chair of selectors the selector has declared that captain Pat Cummins will play a "major part" in the forthcoming Ashes series.
Speculation had been growing that the veteran bowler might sit out due to a stress fracture in his back that remained unresolved.
Initial reports from the squad suggested no definitive call had been made regarding whether he would play, with the Test matches kicking off on 21 November in Western Australia.
Bailey expressed that Cummins is "building up" and felt positive about the prospects of being involved.
"We're aware that the window is narrowing and multiple considerations around that, aside from his injury, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.
"The outlook is good. We firmly believe that he'll participate in a key capacity. Hopefully starting in Perth. Otherwise, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
He was sidelined the white-ball matches against New Zealand and India recently after scans revealed a lumbar bone stress.
He has a history of back injuries, with flare-ups in multiple past seasons leading to absences from three Australian summers in a short span.
He emphasized he would be bold in recovery efforts in his comeback strategy to make the squad for the contest.
Bailey noted that it was unclear if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his comeback but acknowledged it was "becoming urgent" for him to be fit for the first Test.
Backup Options
If he's unavailable, ex-skipper Smith will take over the captaincy.
The talented all-rounder was withdrawn recently from the ODI lineup for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a precautionary measure because of soreness in his side.
Bailey described it as a "small issue and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the state-level matches, so will be "in a good place to deliver overs."
"We put so much time has gone into developing the strategy for him to be available for the first Test as an dual-role player," the selector detailed.
"His involvement was limited to the starting games in any case. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, if it causes any delay for 24 more hours, the choice was made to adopt a safer strategy."
Series Schedule
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
