The pace bowler has claimed 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's chair of selectors Bailey has declared that skipper Cummins will be a central figure in the forthcoming England-Australia contest.
Speculation had been growing that the veteran bowler might sit out due to a ongoing back issue that had not yet healed.
Previous updates from the Australian camp suggested no definitive call had been made regarding his involvement, with the Test matches set to start on the 21st of November in Western Australia.
The selector shared that Cummins is "building up" and remained hopeful about his chances of being involved.
"We're aware that the clock is ticking and there are permutations involved, not just his injury, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.
"We're encouraged. There's strong faith that he'll participate in a key capacity. Ideally starting in Perth. Otherwise, then we'll pick it up."
Previous Setbacks
The captain missed the white-ball matches against India and New Zealand last month after examinations confirmed a lower back issue.
He has a history of spinal problems, with setbacks in multiple past seasons forcing him out of multiple domestic campaigns in a short span.
He emphasized he would be proactive in his approach in his comeback strategy to ensure his availability for the contest.
Bailey noted that it was unclear if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his rehabilitation but conceded it was "pressing" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Alternative Arrangements
In case of absence, former captain Steve Smith will lead the side.
All-rounder Cameron Green was excluded lately from the ODI lineup for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a safety move because of discomfort in his torso.
He labeled it as a "small issue and stated that Green will play in the state-level matches, so will be "ideally positioned to be ready to bowl."
"Extensive planning has gone into building out the plan 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 starting games in any case. The way he swings the bat in limited-overs, if it causes any delay for a short period, we just made the decision to approach this more conservatively."
Fixture Details
The Historic Rivalry
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
