The Australian skipper has claimed 309 wickets in 71 five-day games with an average of 22.10.
Australia's chief selector Bailey has confirmed that skipper Cummins will play a "major part" in the upcoming historic rivalry.
There were concerns that the veteran bowler might sit out due to a ongoing back issue that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from the squad suggested no official announcement had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the five-Test series scheduled to begin on the 21st of November in the WACA.
The selector shared that his recovery is on track and felt positive about his chances of taking part.
"It's clear that the window is narrowing and there are permutations involved, not just the back issue, but other factors as well," the selector added.
"The outlook is good. We firmly believe that he will feature a significant role. With luck it's the first Test. Should that not happen, we'll reassess."
Previous Setbacks
He was sidelined the white-ball matches against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals last month after scans revealed a lumbar bone stress.
There is a track record of back injuries, with recurrences in multiple past seasons causing him to miss multiple domestic campaigns in a limited period.
He emphasized he would be bold in recovery efforts in his comeback strategy to ensure his availability for the series.
He mentioned that he did not know if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his comeback but conceded it was "becoming urgent" for him to be fit for the first Test.
Contingency Plans
Should Cummins not be fit, ex-skipper Smith will assume leadership.
Versatile player Green was withdrawn recently from the ODI lineup for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a preventive step because of an abdominal issue.
The selector characterized it as a "minor" injury and stated that he'll feature in the state-level matches, so will be "ideally positioned to be ready to bowl."
"Extensive planning has gone into creating the schedule for him to participate for the opening match as an all-rounder," Bailey explained.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the starting games in any case. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, should it hinder progress for another day, the choice was made to approach this more conservatively."
Match Calendar
The Ashes: Australia v England
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
