The pace bowler has secured 309 wickets in 71 appearances with an average of 22.10.
Australia's selection chief Bailey has stated that captain Pat Cummins will be a central figure in this winter's Ashes series.
Rumors had circulated that the 32-year-old might be unavailable due to a ongoing back issue that had not yet healed.
Initial reports from the Australian camp suggested no official announcement had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the five-Test series scheduled to begin on November 21 in Western Australia.
The selector shared that Cummins is "building up" and felt positive about his chances of being involved.
"We know that the window is narrowing and various factors involved, not only the back issue, but further aspects," Bailey remarked.
"It's positive. [We are] really confident that he'll participate in a major part. Hopefully starting in Perth. Otherwise, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
He was sidelined Australia's limited-overs series against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals in the previous weeks after scans revealed a lumbar bone stress.
There is a track record of recurring issues, with flare-ups in multiple past seasons leading to absences from several home seasons in a short span.
The bowler mentioned he would be bold in recovery efforts in his rehabilitation process to ensure his availability for the series.
The selector indicated that it was unclear if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his comeback but conceded it was "getting tight" for him to regain fitness for the opener.
Backup Options
Should Cummins not be fit, ex-skipper Smith will lead the side.
All-rounder Cameron Green was recently pulled out from the national team for their limited-overs matches against the subcontinent side as a precautionary measure because of an abdominal issue.
He labeled it as a "slight concern and confirmed that he's scheduled to appear in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "well-prepared to be ready to bowl."
"Considerable effort has gone into creating the schedule for him to participate for the initial game 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, even if it just sets him back for a short period, the choice was made to approach this more conservatively."
Fixture Details
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
