The pace bowler has taken over 300 dismissals in 71 appearances with an impressive average.
The Australian selection chief Bailey has stated that pace spearhead Cummins will play a "major part" in the forthcoming England-Australia contest.
Rumors had circulated that Cummins might be unavailable due to a persistent back stress problem that remained unresolved.
Initial reports from the squad suggested no final decision had been made regarding his involvement, with the extended contest kicking off on 21 November in Perth.
Bailey expressed that his recovery is on track and felt positive about the likelihood of being involved.
"We know that the window is narrowing and multiple considerations at play, not only the back issue, but other factors as well," the selector added.
"It's positive. There's strong faith that he's going to play a significant role. Ideally it's the first Test. If not, we'll adjust."
Previous Setbacks
The captain missed the ODI and T20 games against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals recently after scans revealed a lower back issue.
There is a track record of spinal problems, with recurrences in several earlier campaigns causing him to miss multiple domestic campaigns in a short span.
He emphasized he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his recovery plan to ensure his availability for the contest.
The selector indicated that there was no confirmation if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his recovery but acknowledged it was "becoming urgent" for him to be fit for the initial match.
Alternative Arrangements
If he's unavailable, former captain Steve Smith will lead the side.
All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from the ODI lineup for their one-day international series against the Asian giants as a precautionary measure because of an abdominal issue.
He labeled it as a "minor" injury and confirmed that he's scheduled to appear in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to deliver overs."
"We put so much time has gone into building out the plan for him to take part for the first Test as an dual-role player," the selector detailed.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the first two ODIs in any case. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, if it causes any delay for a short period, the choice was made to take a cautious route."
Match Calendar
Australia vs England: The Ashes
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
