The pace bowler has claimed over 300 dismissals in 71 appearances with an average of 22.10.
Australia's chief selector Bailey has confirmed that pace spearhead Cummins will have a crucial role in the upcoming historic rivalry.
Rumors had circulated that the veteran bowler might be unavailable due to a ongoing back issue that was still troubling him.
Previous updates from team management suggested no final decision had been made regarding whether he would play, with the extended contest set to start on the 21st of November in Perth.
The selector shared that Cummins is "building up" and felt positive about the prospects of participating.
"We're aware that the clock is ticking and there are permutations at play, aside from his injury, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.
"We're encouraged. [We are] really confident that he'll participate in a key capacity. Hopefully it's the first Test. Should that not happen, then we'll pick it up."
Injury History
The captain missed the white-ball matches against New Zealand and India last month after examinations confirmed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of back injuries, with recurrences in multiple past seasons leading to absences from multiple domestic campaigns in a short span.
The bowler mentioned he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his rehabilitation process to secure his spot for the contest.
Bailey noted that it was unclear if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his comeback but admitted it was "pressing" for him to be fit for the initial match.
Contingency Plans
In case of absence, former captain Steve Smith will take over the captaincy.
Versatile player Green was excluded lately from the ODI lineup for their limited-overs matches against India as a safety move because of an abdominal issue.
Bailey described it as a "slight concern and confirmed that he's scheduled to appear 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 be available for the opening match as an batting and bowling option," the selector detailed.
"He was only going to play the first two ODIs in any case. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for a short period, we just made the decision to take a cautious route."
Match Calendar
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
