The Australian skipper has secured 309 wickets in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
The Australian chair of selectors Bailey has declared that pace spearhead Cummins will be a central figure in the forthcoming England-Australia contest.
Rumors had circulated that Cummins might sit out due to a ongoing back issue that was still troubling him.
Initial reports from the Australian camp suggested no definitive call had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the extended contest scheduled to begin on the 21st of November in the WACA.
The selector shared that his recovery is on track and remained hopeful about his chances of participating.
"We know that the clock is ticking and various factors around that, not just the physical problem, but additional elements," the selector added.
"The outlook is good. There's strong faith that he will feature a major part. With luck from the opening match. If not, we'll reassess."
Past Concerns
The captain missed the white-ball matches against India and New Zealand recently after medical tests showed a stress reaction in his back.
There is a track record of spinal problems, with flare-ups in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 forcing him out of multiple domestic campaigns in a short span.
The bowler mentioned he would be proactive in his approach in his recovery plan to ensure his availability for the series.
He mentioned that it was unclear if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his comeback but admitted it was "pressing" for him to regain fitness for the first Test.
Contingency Plans
Should Cummins not be fit, former captain Steve Smith will assume leadership.
The talented all-rounder was withdrawn recently from the national team for their ODI contests against the Asian giants as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.
The selector characterized it as a "minor" injury and mentioned that he's scheduled to appear in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to resume bowling."
"We put so much time has gone into creating the schedule for him to take part for the first Test as an dual-role player," Bailey explained.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the starting games in any case. His aggressive style the willow in shorter formats, should it hinder progress for a short period, the choice was made to take a cautious route."
Fixture Details
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
