The pace bowler has claimed 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's chair of selectors the selector has confirmed that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in this winter's Ashes series.
There were concerns that the 32-year-old might be unavailable due to a ongoing back issue that had not yet healed.
Previous updates from team management suggested no official announcement had been made regarding whether he would play, with the Test matches kicking off on November 21 in the WACA.
Bailey expressed that his recovery is on track and remained hopeful about his chances of being involved.
"We know that time is getting short and various factors at play, not just the back issue, but further aspects," he commented.
"It's positive. We firmly believe that he will feature a key capacity. Hopefully from the opening match. If not, then we'll pick it up."
Previous Setbacks
Cummins was ruled out Australia's limited-overs series against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals recently after medical tests showed a lumbar bone stress.
There is a track record of spinal problems, with setbacks in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 forcing him out of three Australian summers in a limited period.
He emphasized he would be bold in recovery efforts in his comeback strategy to make the squad for the contest.
The selector indicated that it was unclear if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his recovery but acknowledged it was "becoming urgent" for him to recover fully for the opener.
Alternative Arrangements
Should Cummins not be fit, ex-skipper Smith will lead the side.
The talented all-rounder was recently pulled out from the ODI lineup for their ODI contests against the Asian giants as a preventive step because of an abdominal issue.
He labeled it as a "minor" injury and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "ideally positioned to be ready to bowl."
"Considerable effort has gone into developing the strategy for him to be available for the initial game as an all-rounder," Bailey explained.
"He was only going to play the starting games anyway. His aggressive style the willow in shorter formats, even if it just sets him back for another day, the choice was made to approach this more conservatively."
Series Schedule
Australia vs England: The Ashes
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
