The Australian skipper has claimed over 300 dismissals in 71 five-day games with an stellar bowling average.
The Australian selection chief Bailey has stated that skipper Cummins will play a "major part" in this winter's Ashes series.
There were concerns that the 32-year-old might be unavailable due to a ongoing back issue that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from the Australian camp suggested no definitive call had been made regarding whether he would play, with the extended contest scheduled to begin on November 21 in the WACA.
The selector shared that his recovery is on track and remained hopeful about his chances of being involved.
"It's clear that the window is narrowing and multiple considerations involved, aside from the physical problem, but other factors as well," he commented.
"We're encouraged. There's strong faith that he'll participate in a major part. With luck from the opening match. If not, we'll reassess."
Previous Setbacks
The captain missed the ODI and T20 games against India and New Zealand last month after examinations confirmed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of back injuries, with flare-ups in multiple past seasons leading to absences from three Australian summers in a limited period.
He emphasized he would be bold in recovery efforts in his rehabilitation process to make the squad for the series.
The selector indicated that he did not know if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his comeback but conceded it was "getting tight" for him to regain fitness for the first Test.
Contingency Plans
If he's unavailable, former captain Steve Smith will take over the captaincy.
All-rounder Cameron Green was recently pulled out from Australia's squad for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a safety move because of soreness in his side.
Bailey described it as a "small issue and stated that Green will play 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 first Test as an batting and bowling option," he elaborated.
"He was only going to play the starting games anyway. His aggressive style the bat in limited-overs, even if it just sets him back for another day, the choice was made to take a cautious route."
Series Schedule
The Ashes: Australia v England
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
