The pace bowler has secured 309 Test scalps in 71 Test matches with an impressive average.
The Australian chair of selectors the selector has declared that pace spearhead Cummins will have a crucial role in this winter's Ashes series.
Rumors had circulated that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a persistent back stress problem that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from team management suggested no final decision had been made regarding his involvement, with the Test matches set to start on November 21 in Perth.
The selector shared that Cummins is "building up" and was "optimistic" about his chances of taking part.
"We're aware that time is getting short and various factors at play, not just the physical problem, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.
"It's positive. There's strong faith that he'll participate in a significant role. With luck from the opening match. Otherwise, we'll reassess."
Injury History
The captain missed the white-ball matches against New Zealand and India in the previous weeks after medical tests showed a lower back issue.
He has a history of spinal problems, with flare-ups in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 leading to absences from three Australian summers in a short span.
He emphasized he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his recovery plan to ensure his availability for the contest.
Bailey noted that there was no confirmation if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his comeback but admitted it was "becoming urgent" for him to recover fully for the first Test.
Contingency Plans
Should Cummins not be fit, former captain Steve Smith will take over the captaincy.
Versatile player Green was excluded lately from the ODI lineup for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.
The selector characterized it as a "slight concern and mentioned that he'll feature in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "in a good place to deliver overs."
"Considerable effort 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 regardless. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, even if it just sets him back for 24 more hours, we opted to adopt a safer strategy."
Match Calendar
Australia vs England: The Ashes
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
