Pat Cummins has claimed 309 wickets in 71 Test matches with an average of 22.10.
The Australian chair of selectors the selector has confirmed that pace spearhead Cummins will play a "major part" in this winter's historic rivalry.
Speculation had been growing that the veteran bowler might sit out due to a persistent back stress problem that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from team management suggested no final decision had been made regarding his involvement, with the five-Test series set to start on 21 November in Perth.
Bailey expressed that his recovery is on track and felt positive about his chances of taking part.
"We're aware that the clock is ticking and various factors at play, not just the physical problem, but additional elements," Bailey remarked.
"The outlook is good. [We are] really confident that he'll participate in a key capacity. Ideally from the opening match. Should that not happen, we'll reassess."
Past Concerns
The captain missed Australia's limited-overs series against India and New Zealand recently after scans revealed a lumbar bone stress.
There is a track record of spinal problems, with recurrences in several earlier campaigns causing him to miss multiple domestic campaigns in four years.
Cummins stated he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his recovery plan to ensure his availability for the series.
The selector indicated that it was unclear if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his rehabilitation but conceded it was "becoming urgent" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Alternative Arrangements
Should Cummins not be fit, 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All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from the national team for their ODI contests against the subcontinent side as a safety move because of an abdominal issue.
Bailey described it as a "minor" injury and stated that Green will play in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to deliver overs."
"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to take part for the opening match as an dual-role player," Bailey explained.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the starting games in any case. His aggressive style the willow in shorter formats, even if it just sets him back for another day, we just made the decision to take a cautious route."
Match Calendar
The Historic Rivalry
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
