The Australian skipper has taken 309 Test scalps in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's chair of selectors Bailey has declared that pace spearhead Cummins will be a central figure in this winter's Ashes series.
Rumors had circulated that Cummins might be unavailable due to a ongoing back issue that remained unresolved.
Initial reports from the squad suggested no official announcement had been made regarding his involvement, with the extended contest kicking off on 21 November in Perth.
The selector shared that the captain is progressing and remained hopeful about the prospects of taking part.
"We know that the clock is ticking and various factors at play, not just the back issue, but other factors as well," the selector added.
"The outlook is good. We firmly believe that he'll participate in a significant role. Ideally it's the first Test. Should that not happen, we'll reassess."
Previous Setbacks
He was sidelined Australia's limited-overs series against New Zealand and India in the previous weeks after scans revealed a lumbar bone stress.
There is a track record of spinal problems, with setbacks in several earlier campaigns forcing him out of multiple domestic campaigns in a short span.
Cummins stated he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his rehabilitation process to secure his spot for the contest.
He mentioned that it was unclear if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his rehabilitation but acknowledged it was "becoming urgent" for him to regain fitness for the initial match.
Backup Options
Should Cummins not be fit, former captain Steve Smith will lead the side.
The talented all-rounder was excluded lately from the ODI lineup for their one-day international series against India as a safety move because of soreness in his side.
He labeled it as a "slight concern and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to resume bowling."
"Considerable effort has gone into building out the plan for him to be available for the opening match as an batting and bowling option," Bailey explained.
"He was only going to play the first two ODIs in any case. How he handles 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."
Series Schedule
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
