The Australian skipper has taken 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an stellar bowling average.
The Australian selection chief the selector has confirmed that skipper Cummins will have a crucial role in the upcoming England-Australia contest.
There were concerns that Cummins might sit out due to a persistent back stress problem that remained unresolved.
Initial reports from the Australian camp suggested no final decision had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the Test matches set to start on 21 November in the WACA.
Bailey expressed that the captain is progressing and was "optimistic" about the likelihood of taking part.
"We know that the window is narrowing and there are permutations around that, not just the physical problem, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.
"We're encouraged. We firmly believe that he will feature a significant role. Hopefully starting in Perth. Otherwise, we'll adjust."
Injury History
He was sidelined Australia's limited-overs series against New Zealand and India last month after examinations confirmed a stress reaction in his back.
Previous incidents include of spinal problems, with flare-ups in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 forcing him out of three Australian summers in a short span.
He emphasized he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his recovery plan to ensure his availability for the contest.
He mentioned that it was unclear if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his rehabilitation but conceded it was "getting tight" for him to recover fully for the first Test.
Alternative Arrangements
Should Cummins not be fit, ex-skipper Smith will take over the captaincy.
All-rounder Cameron Green was recently pulled out from the ODI lineup for their limited-overs matches against India as a safety move because of discomfort in his torso.
Bailey described it as a "slight concern and mentioned that he'll feature in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "ideally positioned to deliver overs."
"Extensive planning has gone into creating the schedule for him to participate for the opening match as an all-rounder," Bailey explained.
"He was only going to play the starting games in any case. His aggressive style the willow in shorter formats, if it causes any delay for 24 more hours, we opted to approach this more conservatively."
Fixture Details
Australia vs England: The Ashes
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
