The Australian skipper has secured 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an average of 22.10.
The Australian selection chief Bailey has declared that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in this winter's England-Australia contest.
Rumors had circulated that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a persistent back stress problem that had not yet healed.
Earlier indications from the squad suggested no final decision had been made regarding whether he would play, with the extended contest kicking off on 21 November in Perth.
He revealed that his recovery is on track and felt positive about the likelihood of taking part.
"We're aware that time is getting short and various factors involved, not just his injury, but additional elements," he commented.
"The outlook is good. We firmly believe that he'll participate in a key capacity. With luck from the opening match. If not, we'll reassess."
Injury History
Cummins was ruled out Australia's limited-overs series against New Zealand and India last month after examinations confirmed a lumbar bone stress.
Previous incidents include of spinal problems, with setbacks in several earlier campaigns causing him to miss multiple domestic campaigns in a short span.
Cummins stated he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his comeback strategy to ensure his availability for the series.
He mentioned that he did not know if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his comeback but admitted it was "becoming urgent" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Backup Options
Should Cummins not be fit, veteran batsman Smith will assume leadership.
All-rounder Cameron Green was excluded lately from the ODI lineup for their ODI contests against the subcontinent side as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.
Bailey described it as a "minor" injury and mentioned that he'll feature in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "ideally positioned to be ready to bowl."
"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to be available for the first Test as an all-rounder," he elaborated.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the first two ODIs regardless. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, should it hinder progress for another day, the choice was made to approach this more conservatively."
Match Calendar
Australia vs England: The Ashes
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
