The Australian skipper has taken 309 wickets in 71 Test matches with an impressive average.
The Australian chair of selectors Bailey has confirmed that skipper Cummins will be a central figure in this winter's historic rivalry.
Rumors had circulated that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a persistent back stress problem that had not yet healed.
Previous updates from the Australian camp suggested no final decision had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the Test matches scheduled to begin on November 21 in Perth.
He revealed that the captain is progressing and was "optimistic" about the likelihood of being involved.
"We know that the clock is ticking and there are permutations around that, not only the physical problem, but other factors as well," the selector added.
"It's positive. [We are] really confident that he will feature a major part. With luck from the opening match. If not, we'll reassess."
Injury History
He was sidelined the white-ball matches against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals last month after examinations confirmed a stress reaction in his back.
There is a track record of recurring issues, with flare-ups in several earlier campaigns leading to absences from three Australian summers in a limited period.
He emphasized he would be proactive in his approach in his rehabilitation process to secure his spot for the contest.
The selector indicated that there was no confirmation if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his rehabilitation but conceded it was "pressing" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Backup Options
If he's unavailable, veteran batsman Smith will lead the side.
Versatile player Green was withdrawn recently from the national team for their limited-overs matches against the subcontinent side as a safety move because of an abdominal issue.
He labeled it as a "small issue and confirmed that Green will play in the state-level matches, so will be "ideally positioned to deliver overs."
"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to be available for the first Test as an dual-role player," he elaborated.
"He was only going to play the starting games regardless. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, even if it just sets him back for a short period, the choice was made to take a cautious route."
Match Calendar
The Ashes: Australia v England
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
