The Australian skipper has secured 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an average of 22.10.
Australia's chair of selectors Bailey has declared that pace spearhead Cummins will be a central figure in this winter's England-Australia contest.
There were concerns that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a persistent back stress problem that remained unresolved.
Initial reports from the Australian camp suggested no final decision had been made regarding his involvement, with the extended contest kicking off on November 21 in the WACA.
He revealed that the captain is progressing and was "optimistic" about the prospects of being involved.
"It's clear that time is getting short and there are permutations involved, not just his injury, but other factors as well," he commented.
"The outlook is good. There's strong faith that he's going to play a significant role. Ideally it's the first Test. Otherwise, then we'll pick it up."
Injury History
The captain missed the white-ball matches against New Zealand and India recently after medical tests showed a lower back issue.
There is a track record of recurring issues, with setbacks in several earlier campaigns causing him to miss several home seasons in a short span.
He emphasized he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his recovery plan to ensure his availability for the Ashes.
He mentioned that there was no confirmation if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his comeback but admitted it was "pressing" for him to be fit for the opener.
Alternative Arrangements
In case of absence, veteran batsman Smith will take over the captaincy.
The talented all-rounder was excluded lately from the national team for their limited-overs matches against the subcontinent side as a safety move because of discomfort in his torso.
Bailey described it as a "minor" injury and confirmed that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "ideally positioned to be ready to bowl."
"Extensive planning has gone into creating the schedule for him to take part for the opening match as an dual-role player," Bailey explained.
"His involvement was limited to the starting games anyway. His aggressive style the willow in shorter formats, even if it just sets him back for a short period, we just made the decision to take a cautious route."
Fixture Details
The Ashes: Australia v England
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
