The pace bowler has taken 309 wickets in 71 Test matches with an average of 22.10.
The Australian selection chief the selector has declared that skipper Cummins will have a crucial role in this winter's England-Australia contest.
There were concerns that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a stress fracture in his back that had not yet healed.
Previous updates from team management suggested no definitive call had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the extended contest scheduled to begin on 21 November in Perth.
Bailey expressed that the captain is progressing and was "optimistic" about the likelihood of participating.
"We know that the window is narrowing and there are permutations at play, not only the physical problem, but further aspects," Bailey remarked.
"We're encouraged. [We are] really confident that he's going to play a significant role. Ideally it's the first Test. If not, then we'll pick it up."
Previous Setbacks
He was sidelined Australia's limited-overs series against New Zealand and India in the previous weeks after medical tests showed a stress reaction in his back.
Previous incidents include of spinal problems, with flare-ups in multiple past seasons leading to absences from several home seasons in four years.
The bowler mentioned he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his rehabilitation process to make the squad for the series.
Bailey noted that he did not know if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his rehabilitation but acknowledged it was "getting tight" for him to regain fitness for the opener.
Backup Options
If he's unavailable, former captain Steve Smith will assume leadership.
All-rounder Cameron Green was excluded lately from the national team for their limited-overs matches against the Asian giants as a precautionary measure because of an abdominal issue.
He labeled it as a "small issue and confirmed that Green will play in the state-level matches, so will be "in a good place to deliver overs."
"Considerable effort has gone into creating the schedule for him to be available for the initial game as an all-rounder," Bailey explained.
"His involvement was limited to the first two ODIs regardless. How he handles the willow in shorter formats, even if it just sets him back for 24 more hours, the choice was made to adopt a safer strategy."
Series Schedule
The Historic Rivalry
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
