The Australian skipper has secured 309 Test scalps in 71 five-day games with an average of 22.10.
Australia's chair of selectors Bailey has confirmed that skipper Cummins will play a "major part" in this winter's Ashes series.
Speculation had been growing that Cummins might miss the series due to a ongoing back issue that had not yet healed.
Earlier indications from team management suggested no final decision had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the Test matches scheduled to begin on 21 November in the WACA.
Bailey expressed that the captain is progressing and was "optimistic" about the likelihood of participating.
"It's clear that time is getting short and multiple considerations at play, aside from the physical problem, but further aspects," Bailey remarked.
"It's positive. There's strong faith that he'll participate in a key capacity. Ideally from the opening match. Otherwise, then we'll pick it up."
Injury History
The captain missed Australia's limited-overs series against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals recently after scans revealed a lower back issue.
There is a track record of back injuries, with setbacks in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 forcing him out of several home seasons in four years.
The bowler mentioned he would be proactive in his approach in his comeback strategy to secure his spot for the Ashes.
He mentioned that it was unclear if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his rehabilitation but acknowledged it was "getting tight" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Contingency Plans
In case of absence, ex-skipper Smith will take over the captaincy.
All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from the ODI lineup for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of soreness in his side.
He labeled it as a "small issue and mentioned that he's scheduled to appear in the state-level matches, so will be "well-prepared to deliver overs."
"We put so much time has gone into developing the strategy for him to take part for the opening match as an batting and bowling option," he elaborated.
"His involvement was limited to the initial matches in any case. How he handles the bat in limited-overs, even if it just sets him back for 24 more hours, the choice was made to adopt a safer strategy."
Series Schedule
The Historic Rivalry
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
