The pace bowler has taken 309 wickets in 71 appearances with an impressive average.
Australia's chief selector Bailey has stated that pace spearhead 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 had not yet healed.
Earlier indications from the squad suggested no official announcement had been made regarding his involvement, with the Test matches scheduled to begin on November 21 in Western Australia.
The selector shared that his recovery is on track and felt positive about the prospects of being involved.
"We're aware that the window is narrowing and multiple considerations around that, not just the back issue, but additional elements," he commented.
"It's positive. We firmly believe that he'll participate in a key capacity. Ideally from the opening match. Otherwise, then we'll pick it up."
Previous Setbacks
He was sidelined the ODI and T20 games against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals in the previous weeks after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.
Previous incidents include of back injuries, with recurrences in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 leading to absences from several home seasons in four years.
Cummins stated he would be proactive in his approach in his rehabilitation process to make the squad for the Ashes.
The selector indicated that he did not know if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his comeback but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Alternative Arrangements
If he's unavailable, former captain Steve Smith will take over the captaincy.
The talented all-rounder was recently pulled out from the national team for their one-day international series against the Asian giants as a preventive step because of soreness in his side.
The selector characterized it as a "slight concern and mentioned 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 creating the schedule for him to be available for the first Test as an dual-role player," Bailey explained.
"His involvement was limited to the starting games regardless. How he handles the willow in shorter formats, if it causes any delay for a short period, we opted to adopt a safer strategy."
Fixture Details
The Ashes: Australia v England
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
