The Australian skipper has taken over 300 dismissals in 71 appearances with an impressive average.
Australia's selection chief the selector has declared that skipper Cummins will have a crucial role in this winter's Ashes series.
Rumors had circulated that the veteran bowler might miss the series due to a persistent back stress problem that had not yet healed.
Earlier indications from the squad suggested no official announcement had been made regarding his involvement, with the Test matches set to start on the 21st of November in Perth.
He revealed that his recovery is on track and was "optimistic" about the prospects of taking part.
"It's clear that the window is narrowing and various factors at play, not only the back issue, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.
"The outlook is good. [We are] really confident that he'll participate in a key capacity. Ideally it's the first Test. Should that not happen, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
The captain missed the ODI and T20 games against New Zealand and India recently after examinations confirmed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of back injuries, with recurrences in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 causing him to miss several home seasons in a short span.
He emphasized he would be proactive in his approach in his rehabilitation process to make the squad for the contest.
The selector indicated that it was unclear if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his rehabilitation but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to be fit for the initial match.
Alternative Arrangements
In case of absence, veteran batsman Smith will lead the side.
All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from the ODI lineup for their limited-overs matches against the subcontinent side as a safety move because of discomfort in his torso.
Bailey described it as a "slight concern and confirmed that he's scheduled to appear in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "ideally positioned to deliver overs."
"Extensive planning has gone into building out the plan for him to take part for the initial game as an all-rounder," he elaborated.
"He was only going to play the starting games in any case. How he handles the bat in limited-overs, if it causes any delay for 24 more hours, we just made the decision to approach this more conservatively."
Fixture Details
The Historic Rivalry
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
