The pace bowler has claimed over 300 dismissals in 71 appearances with an average of 22.10.
The Australian selection chief Bailey has declared that skipper Cummins will play a "major part" in this winter's historic rivalry.
Speculation had been growing that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a ongoing back issue that remained unresolved.
Initial reports from team management suggested no final decision had been made regarding his involvement, with the five-Test series kicking off on the 21st of November in the WACA.
He revealed that his recovery is on track and remained hopeful about the likelihood of being involved.
"It's clear that the clock is ticking and various factors involved, not only the back issue, but additional elements," the selector added.
"The outlook is good. There's strong faith that he's going to play a significant role. With luck starting in Perth. If not, we'll adjust."
Injury History
He was sidelined the ODI and T20 games against New Zealand and India last month after medical tests showed a lower back issue.
There is a track record of back injuries, with flare-ups in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 causing him to miss three Australian summers in a limited period.
He emphasized he would be proactive in his approach in his comeback strategy to secure his spot for the series.
Bailey noted that he did not know if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his recovery but conceded it was "becoming urgent" for him to be fit for the first Test.
Alternative Arrangements
Should Cummins not be fit, former captain Steve Smith will lead the side.
The talented all-rounder was excluded lately from the ODI lineup for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a precautionary measure because of soreness in his side.
The selector characterized it as a "minor" injury and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the state-level matches, so will be "well-prepared to deliver overs."
"Extensive planning has gone into creating the schedule for him to take part for the initial game as an dual-role player," he elaborated.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the initial matches anyway. The way he swings the willow in shorter formats, if it causes any delay for another day, we just made the decision to adopt a safer strategy."
Fixture Details
The Ashes: Australia v England
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
