The pace bowler has secured 309 wickets in 71 appearances with an average of 22.10.
The Australian chief selector Bailey has declared that captain Pat Cummins will be a central figure in this winter's historic rivalry.
There were concerns that Cummins might miss the series due to a ongoing back issue that was still troubling him.
Initial reports from team management suggested no official announcement had been made regarding his involvement, with the extended contest set to start on November 21 in Western Australia.
Bailey expressed that Cummins is "building up" and felt positive about the prospects of being involved.
"We know that the window is narrowing and there are permutations at play, not only the physical problem, but further aspects," he commented.
"We're encouraged. There's strong faith that he'll participate in a significant role. With luck it's the first Test. Otherwise, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
The captain missed the white-ball matches against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals in the previous weeks after scans revealed a lumbar bone stress.
There is a track record of back injuries, with setbacks in multiple past seasons forcing him out of three Australian summers in four years.
The bowler mentioned he would be bold in recovery efforts in his recovery plan to secure his spot for the Ashes.
Bailey noted that there was no confirmation if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his rehabilitation but conceded it was "getting tight" for him to be fit for the opener.
Contingency Plans
In case of absence, ex-skipper Smith will take over the captaincy.
All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from the national team for their one-day international series against the Asian giants as a safety move because of discomfort in his torso.
The selector characterized it as a "slight concern and stated that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to be ready to bowl."
"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to participate for the initial game as an all-rounder," he elaborated.
"His involvement was limited to the first two ODIs regardless. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, even if it just sets him back for a short period, we opted to approach this more conservatively."
Match Calendar
The Ashes: Australia v England
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
