The Australian skipper has claimed over 300 dismissals in 71 Test matches with an impressive average.
The Australian chair of selectors Bailey has confirmed that pace spearhead Cummins will play a "major part" in the upcoming historic rivalry.
There were concerns that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a stress fracture in his back that was still troubling him.
Earlier indications from team management suggested no official announcement had been made regarding his involvement, with the five-Test series scheduled to begin on 21 November in Perth.
He revealed that Cummins is "building up" and was "optimistic" about his chances of taking part.
"We know that the window is narrowing and there are permutations at play, aside from the physical problem, but additional elements," the selector added.
"We're encouraged. [We are] really confident that he's going to play a key capacity. Hopefully starting in Perth. If not, we'll adjust."
Injury History
The captain missed the white-ball matches against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals in the previous weeks after examinations confirmed a stress reaction in his back.
Previous incidents include of recurring issues, with flare-ups in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 forcing him out of three Australian summers in four years.
The bowler mentioned he would be bold in recovery efforts in his recovery plan to ensure his availability for the contest.
The selector indicated that there was no confirmation if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his comeback but acknowledged it was "getting tight" for him to be fit for the opener.
Alternative Arrangements
If he's unavailable, ex-skipper Smith will assume leadership.
All-rounder Cameron Green was excluded lately from the national team for their ODI contests against the subcontinent side as a safety move because of an abdominal issue.
He labeled it as a "small issue and confirmed that he'll feature in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "in a good place to be ready to bowl."
"Considerable effort has gone into developing the strategy for him to take part for the initial game as an batting and bowling option," Bailey explained.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the first two ODIs regardless. How he handles the bat in limited-overs, if it causes any delay for another day, we just made the decision to take a cautious route."
Series Schedule
The Ashes: Australia v England
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
