Pat Cummins has claimed 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an stellar bowling average.
The Australian selection chief the selector has stated that skipper Cummins will be a central figure in this winter's England-Australia contest.
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 official announcement had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the extended contest set to start on the 21st of November in Perth.
The selector shared that the captain is progressing and remained hopeful about the prospects of being involved.
"It's clear that the window is narrowing and multiple considerations around that, aside from his injury, but additional elements," Bailey remarked.
"We're encouraged. [We are] really confident that he's going to play a significant role. With luck from the opening match. Should that not happen, then we'll pick it up."
Previous Setbacks
The captain missed the ODI and T20 games against India and New Zealand last month after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.
There is a track record of recurring issues, with flare-ups in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 leading to absences from multiple domestic campaigns in four years.
Cummins stated he would be proactive in his approach in his rehabilitation process to ensure his availability for the series.
He mentioned that he did not know if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his comeback but conceded it was "getting tight" for him to regain fitness for the first Test.
Contingency Plans
Should Cummins not be fit, ex-skipper Smith will take over the captaincy.
Versatile player Green was withdrawn recently from the ODI lineup for their one-day international series against India as a precautionary measure because of an abdominal issue.
Bailey described it as a "small issue and mentioned that Green will play in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to deliver overs."
"Considerable effort has gone into creating the schedule for him to participate for the opening match as an all-rounder," the selector detailed.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the first two ODIs anyway. His aggressive style the bat in limited-overs, if it causes any delay for another day, the choice was made to approach this more conservatively."
Fixture Details
The Historic Rivalry
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
