Pat Cummins has claimed 309 Test scalps in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's chair of selectors Bailey has confirmed that skipper Cummins will be a central figure in the upcoming England-Australia contest.
Speculation had been growing that the veteran bowler might be unavailable due to a ongoing back issue that had not yet healed.
Previous updates from the Australian camp suggested no definitive call had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the five-Test series kicking off on the 21st of November in the WACA.
The selector shared that Cummins is "building up" and remained hopeful about his chances of taking part.
"We're aware that time is getting short and multiple considerations at play, not just his injury, but additional elements," he commented.
"We're encouraged. There's strong faith that he will feature a key capacity. Ideally it's the first Test. Should that not happen, we'll adjust."
Previous Setbacks
Cummins was ruled out the ODI and T20 games against New Zealand and India in the previous weeks after examinations confirmed a stress reaction in his back.
Previous incidents include of back injuries, with recurrences in multiple past seasons leading to absences from several home seasons in a short span.
Cummins stated he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his recovery plan to secure his spot for the series.
Bailey noted that it was unclear if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his rehabilitation but conceded it was "pressing" for him to regain fitness for the opener.
Contingency Plans
In case of absence, former captain Steve Smith will lead the side.
The talented all-rounder was withdrawn recently from the national team for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of discomfort in his torso.
Bailey described it as a "slight concern and stated that Green will play in the state-level matches, so will be "in a good place to be ready to bowl."
"Considerable effort has gone into creating the schedule for him to be available for the first Test as an batting and bowling option," he elaborated.
"He was only going to play the starting games in any case. The way he swings the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, should it hinder progress for 24 more hours, we opted to adopt a safer strategy."
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