The pace bowler has secured 309 Test scalps in 71 five-day games with an average of 22.10.
The Australian chief selector the selector has stated that skipper Cummins will have a crucial role in the upcoming Ashes series.
Rumors had circulated that the 32-year-old might be unavailable due to a ongoing back issue that remained unresolved.
Initial reports from team management suggested no official announcement had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the extended contest set to start on 21 November in Perth.
Bailey expressed that the captain is progressing and was "optimistic" about his chances of being involved.
"It's clear that the window is narrowing and multiple considerations around that, not only the physical problem, but further aspects," Bailey remarked.
"It's positive. There's strong faith that he's going to play a major part. Ideally from the opening match. Otherwise, we'll reassess."
Previous Setbacks
Cummins was ruled out the ODI and T20 games against India and New Zealand in the previous weeks after scans revealed a lumbar bone stress.
He has a history of recurring issues, with flare-ups in several earlier campaigns causing him to miss multiple domestic campaigns 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 it was unclear if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his recovery but conceded it was "pressing" for him to regain fitness for the first Test.
Contingency Plans
If he's unavailable, ex-skipper Smith will take over the captaincy.
All-rounder Cameron Green was excluded lately from the national team for their ODI contests against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of discomfort in his torso.
He labeled it as a "slight concern and confirmed that Green will play in the state-level matches, so will be "in a good place to deliver overs."
"Extensive planning has gone into building out the plan for him to participate for the initial game as an dual-role player," the selector detailed.
"His involvement was limited to the initial matches regardless. The way he swings the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for 24 more hours, we opted to adopt a safer strategy."
Fixture Details
The Ashes: Australia v England
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
