The Australian skipper has taken 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's chief selector Bailey has stated that skipper Cummins will be a central figure in this winter's Ashes series.
There were concerns that the 32-year-old might miss the series due to a persistent back stress problem that was still troubling him.
Initial reports from team management suggested no final decision had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the five-Test series kicking off on November 21 in Western Australia.
He revealed that the captain is progressing and remained hopeful about the prospects of taking part.
"It's clear that the clock is ticking and there are permutations at play, aside from the back issue, but additional elements," Bailey remarked.
"The outlook is good. There's strong faith that he'll participate in a key capacity. Hopefully from the opening match. Should that not happen, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
He was sidelined the ODI and T20 games against New Zealand and India recently after medical tests showed a lower back issue.
There is a track record of spinal problems, with setbacks in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 forcing him out of three Australian summers in a short span.
The bowler mentioned he would be proactive in his approach in his recovery plan to make the squad for the contest.
The selector indicated that he did not know if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his rehabilitation but admitted it was "pressing" for him to be fit for the initial match.
Backup Options
In case of absence, former captain Steve Smith will take over the captaincy.
Versatile player Green was excluded lately from the ODI lineup for their limited-overs matches against the subcontinent side as a precautionary measure because of an abdominal issue.
The selector characterized it as a "slight concern and stated that Green will play in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to resume bowling."
"Extensive planning has gone into creating the schedule for him to take part for the initial game as an dual-role player," he elaborated.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the first two ODIs regardless. How he handles the bat in limited-overs, if it causes any delay for 24 more hours, the choice was made to take a cautious route."
Fixture Details
The Ashes: Australia v England
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
