The pace bowler has secured 309 Test scalps in 71 five-day games with an impressive average.
The Australian chief selector Bailey has stated that pace spearhead Cummins will play a "major part" in this winter's England-Australia contest.
Speculation had been growing that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a stress fracture in his back that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from team management suggested no definitive call had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the extended contest kicking off on 21 November in Perth.
He revealed that the captain is progressing and was "optimistic" about the prospects of being involved.
"We're aware that time is getting short and various factors at play, not just the back issue, but further aspects," the selector added.
"It's positive. We firmly believe that he will feature a key capacity. With luck it's the first Test. If not, we'll adjust."
Injury History
The captain missed the white-ball matches against New Zealand and India last month after medical tests showed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of recurring issues, with setbacks in several earlier campaigns leading to absences from three Australian summers in a short span.
He emphasized he would be proactive in his approach in his comeback strategy to ensure his availability for the series.
Bailey noted that he did not know if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his rehabilitation but admitted it was "getting tight" for him to recover fully for the first Test.
Alternative Arrangements
If he's unavailable, former captain Steve Smith will lead the side.
The talented all-rounder was withdrawn recently from the ODI lineup for their limited-overs matches against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of discomfort in his torso.
The selector characterized it as a "minor" injury and confirmed that Green will play in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "ideally positioned to deliver overs."
"Considerable effort has gone into developing the strategy for him to take part for the first Test as an dual-role player," the selector detailed.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the starting games anyway. The way he swings the willow in shorter formats, even if it just sets him back for a short period, we just made the decision to approach this more conservatively."
Match Calendar
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
