The Australian skipper has taken 309 Test scalps in 71 Test matches with an impressive average.
Australia's selection chief George Bailey has declared that pace spearhead Cummins will play a "major part" in the upcoming England-Australia contest.
There were concerns that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a persistent back stress problem that was still troubling him.
Earlier indications from team management suggested no official announcement had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the Test matches scheduled to begin on the 21st of November in the WACA.
Bailey expressed that the captain is progressing and remained hopeful about the prospects of being involved.
"It's clear that time is getting short and there are permutations around that, aside from the physical problem, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.
"It's positive. We firmly believe that he will feature a key capacity. Hopefully starting in Perth. Otherwise, we'll adjust."
Previous Setbacks
He was sidelined Australia's limited-overs series against New Zealand and India recently after examinations confirmed a stress reaction in his back.
Previous incidents include of recurring issues, with flare-ups in several earlier campaigns causing him to miss several home seasons in four years.
The bowler mentioned he would be bold in recovery efforts in his recovery plan to ensure his availability for the series.
Bailey noted that there was no confirmation if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his comeback but acknowledged it was "getting tight" for him to regain fitness for the initial match.
Backup Options
In case of absence, ex-skipper Smith will lead the side.
All-rounder Cameron Green was recently pulled out from the ODI lineup for their ODI contests against India as a safety move because of an abdominal issue.
Bailey described it as a "minor" injury and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "in a good place to be ready to bowl."
"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to participate for the first Test as an batting and bowling option," the selector detailed.
"He was only going to play the initial matches regardless. His aggressive style the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for 24 more hours, we just made the decision to take a cautious route."
Series Schedule
Australia vs England: The Ashes
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
