The pace bowler has secured 309 wickets in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
The Australian chair of selectors Bailey has confirmed that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in the forthcoming Ashes series.
There were concerns that the veteran bowler might be unavailable due to a stress fracture in his back that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from team management suggested no definitive call had been made regarding his involvement, with the extended contest set to start on the 21st of November in Western Australia.
Bailey expressed that his recovery is on track and felt positive about the likelihood of taking part.
"It's clear that the clock is ticking and multiple considerations involved, not just his injury, but additional elements," the selector added.
"We're encouraged. We firmly believe that he'll participate in a key capacity. With luck it's the first Test. If not, we'll adjust."
Previous Setbacks
He was sidelined the white-ball matches against India and New Zealand recently after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of back injuries, with setbacks in multiple past seasons forcing him out of multiple domestic campaigns in a limited period.
He emphasized he would be proactive in his approach in his recovery plan to make the squad for the Ashes.
The selector indicated that it was unclear if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his recovery but admitted it was "pressing" for him to regain fitness for the first Test.
Contingency Plans
If he's unavailable, veteran batsman Smith will lead the side.
All-rounder Cameron Green was excluded lately from the ODI lineup for their ODI contests against the Asian giants as a preventive step because of an abdominal issue.
Bailey described it as a "slight concern and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "in a good place to deliver overs."
"We put so much time has gone into developing the strategy for him to take part for the initial game as an batting and bowling option," Bailey explained.
"His involvement was limited to the first two ODIs in any case. The way he swings the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for another day, we just made the decision to take a cautious route."
Fixture Details
The Ashes: Australia v England
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
