The pace bowler has secured 309 wickets in 71 Test matches with an impressive average.
Australia's chair of selectors Bailey has stated that skipper Cummins will play a "major part" in the upcoming England-Australia contest.
There were concerns that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a ongoing back issue that had not yet healed.
Initial reports from team management suggested no official announcement had been made regarding whether he would play, with the extended contest set to start on November 21 in Western Australia.
Bailey expressed that Cummins is "building up" and felt positive about his chances of taking part.
"We're aware that the clock is ticking and there are permutations around that, not just the back issue, but further aspects," he commented.
"It's positive. [We are] really confident that he'll participate in a major part. With luck starting in Perth. Otherwise, we'll adjust."
Previous Setbacks
He was sidelined the ODI and T20 games against India and New Zealand in the previous weeks after medical tests showed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of spinal problems, with setbacks in several earlier campaigns causing him to miss multiple domestic campaigns in a limited period.
Cummins stated he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" 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 recovery but acknowledged it was "getting tight" for him to be fit for the initial match.
Backup Options
In case of absence, ex-skipper Smith will take over the captaincy.
The talented all-rounder was excluded lately from the national team for their one-day international series against India as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.
He labeled it as a "minor" injury and mentioned that he's scheduled to appear in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "ideally positioned to resume bowling."
"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," Bailey explained.
"His involvement was limited to the first two ODIs regardless. The way he swings the willow in shorter formats, if it causes any delay for 24 more hours, the choice was made to adopt a safer strategy."
Series Schedule
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
