The Australian skipper has secured 309 Test scalps in 71 five-day games with an impressive average.
Australia's chief selector Bailey has stated that skipper Cummins will have a crucial role in the upcoming Ashes series.
Speculation had been growing that the veteran bowler might be unavailable due to a stress fracture in his back that had not yet healed.
Earlier indications from team management suggested no definitive call had been made regarding his involvement, with the extended contest scheduled to begin on November 21 in Western Australia.
The selector shared that Cummins is "building up" and remained hopeful about his chances of being involved.
"It's clear that time is getting short and there are permutations at play, not just the physical problem, but additional elements," the selector added.
"The outlook is good. We firmly believe that he's going to play a major part. Hopefully it's the first Test. If not, then we'll pick it up."
Past Concerns
Cummins was ruled out the ODI and T20 games against New Zealand and India recently after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of spinal problems, with flare-ups in multiple past seasons forcing him out of three Australian summers in four years.
Cummins stated he would be proactive in his approach in his recovery plan to ensure his availability for the Ashes.
He mentioned that it was unclear if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his rehabilitation but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to recover fully for the opener.
Backup Options
If he's unavailable, veteran batsman Smith will assume leadership.
Versatile player Green was recently pulled out from the ODI lineup for their limited-overs matches against the Asian giants as a safety move because of discomfort in his torso.
The selector characterized it as a "small issue and mentioned that he's scheduled to appear in the state-level matches, so will be "ideally positioned to resume bowling."
"We put so much time has gone into creating the schedule for him to take part for the initial game as an dual-role player," he elaborated.
"His involvement was limited to the starting games in any case. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, should it hinder progress for a short period, the choice was made to adopt a safer strategy."
Fixture Details
The Ashes: Australia v England
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
