The Australian skipper has secured 309 Test scalps in 71 five-day games with an average of 22.10.
The Australian chair of selectors the selector has declared that captain Pat Cummins will be a central figure in this winter's historic rivalry.
There were concerns that the veteran bowler might miss the series due to a persistent back stress problem that had not yet healed.
Initial reports from team management suggested no final decision had been made regarding his involvement, with the five-Test series scheduled to begin on the 21st of November in Perth.
The selector shared that his recovery is on track and felt positive about the likelihood of being involved.
"It's clear that the window is narrowing and various factors involved, not only the back issue, but additional elements," the selector added.
"The outlook is good. We firmly believe that he will feature a key capacity. With luck from the opening match. Should that not happen, we'll adjust."
Injury History
He was sidelined the ODI and T20 games against New Zealand and India recently after scans revealed a lower back issue.
There is a track record of back injuries, with recurrences in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 causing him to miss several home seasons in a limited period.
He emphasized he would be bold in recovery efforts in his comeback strategy to ensure his availability for the Ashes.
He mentioned that he did not know if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his rehabilitation but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to be fit for the first Test.
Contingency Plans
If he's unavailable, former captain Steve Smith will lead the side.
All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from the national team for their ODI contests against the subcontinent side as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.
Bailey described it as a "minor" injury and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "ideally positioned to be ready to bowl."
"We put so much time has gone into developing the strategy for him to participate for the initial game as an batting and bowling option," he elaborated.
"He was only going to play the first two ODIs regardless. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, even if it just sets him back for another day, the choice was made to take a cautious route."
Match Calendar
Australia vs England: The Ashes
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
