The Australian skipper has secured 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's chair of selectors Bailey has confirmed that skipper Cummins will play a "major part" in the upcoming Ashes series.
Rumors had circulated that Cummins might be unavailable due to a ongoing back issue that remained unresolved.
Earlier indications from the Australian camp suggested no final decision had been made regarding whether he would play, with the five-Test series scheduled to begin on November 21 in Western Australia.
Bailey expressed that his recovery is on track and was "optimistic" about the likelihood of being involved.
"It's clear that the clock is ticking and multiple considerations around that, not just his injury, but further aspects," Bailey remarked.
"The outlook is good. [We are] really confident that he's going to play a significant role. With luck it's the first Test. If not, we'll reassess."
Previous Setbacks
He was sidelined the ODI and T20 games against New Zealand and India recently after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of back injuries, with flare-ups in several earlier campaigns leading to absences from several home seasons in a short span.
He emphasized he would be proactive in his approach in his comeback strategy to ensure his availability for the contest.
The selector indicated that it was unclear if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his rehabilitation but acknowledged it was "becoming urgent" for him to regain fitness for the opener.
Backup Options
In case of absence, veteran batsman Smith will assume leadership.
The talented all-rounder was withdrawn recently from the national team for their one-day international series against India as a precautionary measure because of an abdominal issue.
He labeled it as a "small issue and mentioned that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "in a good place to resume bowling."
"We put so much time has gone into developing the strategy for him to take part for the opening match as an dual-role player," he elaborated.
"His involvement was limited to the initial matches in any case. His aggressive style the willow in shorter formats, should it hinder progress for a short period, we opted to take a cautious route."
Fixture Details
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
