The pace bowler has claimed over 300 dismissals in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's selection chief Bailey has stated that captain Pat Cummins will play a "major part" in the forthcoming historic rivalry.
Rumors had circulated that the veteran bowler might be unavailable due to a persistent back stress problem that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from team management suggested no official announcement had been made regarding his involvement, with the Test matches set to start on November 21 in Western Australia.
Bailey expressed that the captain is progressing and remained hopeful about the likelihood of taking part.
"It's clear that the clock is ticking and multiple considerations at play, aside from the physical problem, but additional elements," Bailey remarked.
"We're encouraged. There's strong faith that he will feature a significant role. With luck it's the first Test. Should that not happen, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
The captain missed the ODI and T20 games against India and New Zealand in the previous weeks after medical tests showed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of back injuries, with flare-ups in multiple past seasons causing him to miss several home seasons in four years.
He emphasized he would be bold in recovery efforts in his recovery plan to secure his spot for the contest.
The selector indicated that it was unclear if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his recovery but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to be fit for the initial match.
Alternative Arrangements
If he's unavailable, former captain Steve Smith will assume leadership.
All-rounder Cameron Green was excluded lately from the ODI lineup for their limited-overs matches against the subcontinent side as a safety move because of soreness in his side.
He labeled it as a "minor" injury and mentioned that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to be ready to bowl."
"Considerable effort has gone into creating the schedule for him to participate for the first Test as an dual-role player," he elaborated.
"He was only going to play the starting games regardless. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, even if it just sets him back for a short period, we just made the decision to approach this more conservatively."
Series Schedule
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
