The pace bowler has taken over 300 dismissals in 71 Test matches with an average of 22.10.
Australia's selection chief Bailey has stated that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in the upcoming historic rivalry.
There were concerns that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a persistent back stress problem that remained unresolved.
Earlier indications from team management suggested no final decision had been made regarding whether he would play, with the Test matches kicking off on 21 November in Western Australia.
The selector shared that the captain is progressing and was "optimistic" about his chances of being involved.
"We know that the window is narrowing and there are permutations around that, not just the physical problem, but other factors as well," he commented.
"It's positive. There's strong faith that he's going to play a significant role. With luck from the opening match. Otherwise, we'll reassess."
Past Concerns
The captain missed the ODI and T20 games against New Zealand and India recently after medical tests showed a stress reaction in his back.
Previous incidents include of spinal problems, with recurrences in multiple past seasons causing him to miss multiple domestic campaigns in a short span.
The bowler mentioned he would be bold in recovery efforts in his rehabilitation process to secure his spot for the series.
He mentioned that he did not know if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his rehabilitation but acknowledged it was "getting tight" for him to be fit for the opener.
Backup Options
If he's unavailable, ex-skipper Smith will take over the captaincy.
Versatile player Green was withdrawn recently from the national team for their ODI contests against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of discomfort in his torso.
The selector characterized it as a "minor" injury and stated that he'll feature in the state-level matches, so will be "well-prepared to be ready to bowl."
"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to participate for the first Test as an dual-role player," the selector detailed.
"His involvement was limited to the starting games anyway. His aggressive style the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, should it hinder progress for another day, the choice was made to approach this more conservatively."
Match Calendar
The Ashes: Australia v England
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
