The pace bowler has secured over 300 dismissals in 71 appearances with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's chair of selectors the selector has confirmed that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in the upcoming historic rivalry.
Speculation had been growing that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a stress fracture in his back that remained unresolved.
Initial reports from the Australian camp suggested no official announcement had been made regarding whether he would play, with the Test matches scheduled to begin on 21 November in the WACA.
Bailey expressed that the captain is progressing and remained hopeful about the prospects of participating.
"It's clear that the window is narrowing and multiple considerations around that, not only his injury, but other factors as well," he commented.
"We're encouraged. [We are] really confident that he will feature a significant role. Hopefully from the opening match. Should that not happen, then we'll pick it up."
Past Concerns
Cummins was ruled out the white-ball matches against New Zealand and India last month after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.
There is a track record of back injuries, with setbacks in several earlier campaigns causing him to miss multiple domestic campaigns in a short span.
Cummins stated he would be bold in recovery efforts in his rehabilitation process to make the squad for the Ashes.
He mentioned that it was unclear if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his comeback but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to be fit for the first Test.
Backup Options
Should Cummins not be fit, veteran batsman Smith will assume leadership.
The talented all-rounder was excluded lately from the ODI lineup for their limited-overs matches against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of discomfort in his torso.
He labeled it as a "minor" injury and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "well-prepared to deliver overs."
"We put so much time has gone into creating the schedule for him to be available for the first Test as an all-rounder," the selector detailed.
"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, we opted to take a cautious route."
Series Schedule
The Ashes: Australia v England
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
