The pace bowler has secured 309 wickets in 71 appearances with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's selection chief the selector has stated that skipper Cummins will be a central figure in this winter's England-Australia contest.
There were concerns that Cummins might sit out due to a persistent back stress problem that had not yet healed.
Initial reports from the squad suggested no final decision had been made regarding his involvement, with the extended contest kicking off on 21 November in Western Australia.
Bailey expressed that the captain is progressing and remained hopeful about his chances of participating.
"We're aware that the clock is ticking and there are permutations at play, aside from the physical problem, but other factors as well," the selector added.
"The outlook is good. We firmly believe that he's going to play a significant role. Ideally starting in Perth. If not, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
Cummins was ruled out Australia's limited-overs series against India and New Zealand in the previous weeks after examinations confirmed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of recurring issues, with recurrences in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 leading to absences from several home seasons in a limited period.
The bowler mentioned he would be proactive in his approach in his comeback strategy to secure his spot for the Ashes.
Bailey noted that he did not know if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his rehabilitation but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to be fit for the initial match.
Alternative Arrangements
If he's unavailable, former captain Steve Smith will assume leadership.
All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from Australia's squad for their ODI contests against the Asian giants as a precautionary measure because of soreness in his side.
The selector characterized it as a "small issue and confirmed that he'll feature in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "in a good place to deliver overs."
"We put so much time has gone into developing the strategy for him to be available for the initial game as an dual-role player," the selector detailed.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the initial matches anyway. His aggressive style the willow in shorter formats, should it hinder progress for a short period, we just made the decision to adopt a safer strategy."
Fixture Details
The Historic Rivalry
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
