The Australian skipper has secured 309 Test scalps in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's chief selector Bailey has stated that skipper Cummins will play a "major part" in the forthcoming historic rivalry.
There were concerns that the 32-year-old might miss the series due to a persistent back stress problem that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from team management suggested no final decision had been made regarding his involvement, with the five-Test series scheduled to begin on the 21st of November in Western Australia.
He revealed that his recovery is on track and was "optimistic" about the prospects of participating.
"We're aware that the window is narrowing and there are permutations at play, not only the physical problem, but further aspects," he commented.
"The outlook is good. [We are] really confident that he will feature a major part. Hopefully from the opening match. Should that not happen, we'll reassess."
Past Concerns
The captain missed the ODI and T20 games against New Zealand and India recently after examinations confirmed a lumbar bone stress.
He has a history of spinal problems, with flare-ups in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 forcing him out of three Australian summers in a short span.
Cummins stated he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his recovery plan to ensure his availability for the contest.
The selector indicated that there was no confirmation if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his recovery but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to recover fully for the opener.
Backup Options
If he's unavailable, ex-skipper Smith will assume leadership.
All-rounder Cameron Green was recently pulled out from the national team for their one-day international series against the Asian giants as a safety move 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 resume bowling."
"Considerable effort has gone into building out the plan for him to be available for the opening match as an dual-role player," Bailey explained.
"His involvement was limited to the first two ODIs regardless. The way he swings the willow in shorter formats, if it causes any delay for a short period, the choice was made to take a cautious route."
Match Calendar
The Ashes: Australia v England
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026