Pat Cummins has taken 309 Test scalps in 71 five-day games with an impressive average.
The Australian chair of selectors the selector has stated that pace spearhead Cummins will play a "major part" in the upcoming historic rivalry.
There were concerns that the 32-year-old might miss the series due to a stress fracture in his back that was still troubling him.
Previous updates from team management suggested no official announcement had been made regarding whether he would play, with the Test matches kicking off on 21 November in the WACA.
The selector shared that the captain is progressing and remained hopeful about the likelihood of participating.
"We're aware that the clock is ticking and multiple considerations around that, aside from the physical problem, but additional elements," Bailey remarked.
"The outlook is good. There's strong faith that he's going to play a key capacity. Ideally from the opening match. If not, we'll adjust."
Previous Setbacks
The captain missed the ODI and T20 games against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals in the previous weeks after medical tests showed a lumbar bone stress.
There is a track record of back injuries, with setbacks in multiple past seasons forcing him out of three Australian summers in four years.
Cummins stated he would be proactive in his approach in his recovery plan to secure his spot for the contest.
Bailey noted that there was no confirmation if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his rehabilitation but acknowledged it was "becoming urgent" for him to regain fitness for the initial match.
Backup Options
Should Cummins not be fit, former captain Steve 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 confirmed that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "ideally positioned to deliver overs."
"We put so much time has gone into developing the strategy for him to participate for the initial game as an dual-role player," Bailey explained.
"He was only going to play the starting games regardless. The way he swings the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for a short period, we opted to take a cautious route."
Fixture Details
The Historic Rivalry
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
