Pat Cummins has claimed 309 Test scalps in 71 five-day games with an impressive average.
The Australian selection chief the selector has declared that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in this winter's Ashes series.
Speculation had been growing that the 32-year-old might be unavailable due to a stress fracture in his back that remained unresolved.
Earlier indications from team management suggested no definitive call had been made regarding whether he would play, with the five-Test series scheduled to begin on the 21st of November in Perth.
Bailey expressed that his recovery is on track and remained hopeful about his chances of being involved.
"We're aware that the window is narrowing and multiple considerations at play, aside from his injury, but further aspects," the selector added.
"We're encouraged. [We are] really confident that he will feature a significant role. With luck from the opening match. Should that not happen, we'll reassess."
Previous Setbacks
Cummins was ruled out Australia's limited-overs series against New Zealand and India in the previous weeks after scans revealed a lumbar bone stress.
There is a track record of back injuries, with setbacks in several earlier campaigns causing him to miss three Australian summers in a limited period.
He emphasized he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his recovery plan to secure his spot for the contest.
Bailey noted that there was no confirmation if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his recovery but acknowledged it was "getting tight" for him to regain fitness for the first Test.
Alternative Arrangements
If he's unavailable, former captain Steve Smith will take over the captaincy.
All-rounder Cameron Green was recently pulled out from Australia's squad for their limited-overs matches against India as a safety move because of soreness in his side.
He labeled it as a "minor" injury and confirmed that he'll feature in the state-level matches, so will be "in a good place to resume bowling."
"Extensive planning has gone into creating the schedule for him to participate for the opening match as an batting and bowling option," the selector detailed.
"His involvement was limited to the first two ODIs in any case. How he handles the willow in shorter formats, if it causes any delay for another day, we opted to approach this more conservatively."
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The Historic Rivalry
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