The Australian skipper has secured over 300 dismissals in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
The Australian selection chief the selector has declared that skipper Cummins will have a crucial role in the forthcoming historic rivalry.
There were concerns that Cummins might miss the series due to a ongoing back issue that was still troubling him.
Previous updates from the Australian camp suggested no final decision had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the Test matches scheduled to begin on the 21st of November in Perth.
Bailey expressed that the captain is progressing and was "optimistic" about his chances of participating.
"We're aware that the window is narrowing and multiple considerations involved, aside from the back issue, but further aspects," he commented.
"It's positive. We firmly believe that he will feature a key capacity. Hopefully it's the first Test. Should that not happen, we'll adjust."
Previous Setbacks
He was sidelined the ODI and T20 games against India and New Zealand last month after examinations confirmed a lower back issue.
There is a track record of back injuries, with flare-ups in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 leading to absences from three Australian summers in a short span.
Cummins stated he would be bold in recovery efforts in his recovery plan to make the squad for the contest.
The selector indicated that there was no confirmation if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his comeback but conceded it was "becoming urgent" for him to recover fully for the first Test.
Backup Options
Should Cummins not be fit, veteran batsman Smith will take over the captaincy.
Versatile player Green was recently pulled out from the ODI lineup for their limited-overs matches against the subcontinent side as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.
Bailey described it as a "small issue and mentioned that Green will play in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "in a good place to deliver overs."
"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to be available for the first Test as an batting and bowling option," the selector detailed.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the initial matches anyway. How he handles the bat in limited-overs, if it causes any delay for 24 more hours, we opted to approach this more conservatively."
Match Calendar
The Ashes: Australia v England
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
