The Australian skipper has secured over 300 dismissals in 71 appearances with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's chief selector Bailey has confirmed that pace spearhead Cummins will have a crucial role in the upcoming England-Australia contest.
There were concerns that the veteran bowler might be unavailable due to a stress fracture in his back that had not yet healed.
Earlier indications from the squad suggested no official announcement had been made regarding his involvement, with the Test matches set to start on the 21st of November in Perth.
Bailey expressed that Cummins is "building up" and was "optimistic" about the prospects of participating.
"We know that the clock is ticking and there are permutations involved, not only the back issue, but further aspects," Bailey remarked.
"It's positive. We firmly believe that he's going to play a key capacity. Ideally starting in Perth. Otherwise, we'll reassess."
Past Concerns
He was sidelined the ODI and T20 games against India and New Zealand recently after scans revealed a lumbar bone stress.
Previous incidents include of recurring issues, with recurrences in several earlier campaigns causing him to miss three Australian summers in a limited period.
Cummins stated he would be proactive in his approach in his recovery plan to secure his spot for the series.
The selector indicated that there was no confirmation if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his rehabilitation but admitted it was "getting tight" for him to recover fully for the opener.
Alternative Arrangements
Should Cummins not be fit, veteran batsman Smith will take over the captaincy.
Versatile player Green was withdrawn recently from Australia's squad for their ODI contests against India as a precautionary measure because of soreness in his side.
Bailey described it as a "slight concern and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "ideally positioned to deliver overs."
"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to take part for the opening match as an batting and bowling option," Bailey explained.
"His involvement was limited to the first two ODIs in any case. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, even if it just sets him back for a short period, the choice was made to adopt a safer strategy."
Fixture Details
Australia vs England: The Ashes
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
