The pace bowler has secured 309 Test scalps in 71 five-day games with an average of 22.10.
The Australian chair of selectors Bailey has declared that skipper Cummins will have a crucial role in this winter's England-Australia contest.
Speculation had been growing that the veteran bowler might be unavailable due to a stress fracture in his back that was still troubling him.
Previous updates from team management suggested no final decision had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the Test matches scheduled to begin on November 21 in the WACA.
He revealed that his recovery is on track and remained hopeful about his chances of participating.
"We know that the window is narrowing and multiple considerations at play, aside from the back issue, but other factors as well," he commented.
"It's positive. There's strong faith that he's going to play a key capacity. With luck from the opening match. If not, then we'll pick it up."
Past Concerns
The captain missed Australia's limited-overs series against New Zealand and India in the previous weeks after medical tests showed a lower back issue.
He has a history of recurring issues, with recurrences in multiple past seasons forcing him out of multiple domestic campaigns in four years.
Cummins stated he would be proactive in his approach in his comeback strategy to secure his spot for the Ashes.
He mentioned that he did not know if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his comeback but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to regain fitness for the first Test.
Backup Options
Should Cummins not be fit, former captain Steve Smith will take over the captaincy.
Versatile player Green was withdrawn recently from the national team for their ODI contests against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of an abdominal issue.
Bailey described it as a "small issue and confirmed that Green will play in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to be ready to bowl."
"Considerable effort has gone into building out the plan for him to be available for the opening match as an dual-role player," he elaborated.
"He was only going to play the first two ODIs in any case. His aggressive style the willow in shorter formats, should it hinder progress for another day, the choice was made to adopt a safer strategy."
Fixture Details
Australia vs England: The Ashes
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
