The Australian skipper has taken 309 Test scalps in 71 five-day games with an impressive average.
Australia's selection chief George Bailey has stated that skipper Cummins will be a central figure in the forthcoming England-Australia contest.
There were concerns that the veteran bowler might be unavailable due to a persistent back stress problem that remained unresolved.
Initial reports from team management suggested no final decision had been made regarding whether he would play, with the Test matches set to start on November 21 in Perth.
He revealed that the captain is progressing and felt positive about his chances of taking part.
"It's clear that the window is narrowing and various factors involved, not just the back issue, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.
"The outlook is good. [We are] really confident that he's going to play a major part. Ideally starting in Perth. Should that not happen, then we'll pick it up."
Injury History
He was sidelined the white-ball matches against India and New Zealand in the previous weeks after medical tests showed a lower back issue.
He has a history of recurring issues, with flare-ups in multiple past seasons causing him to miss multiple domestic campaigns in a limited period.
The bowler mentioned he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his rehabilitation process to make the squad for the series.
The selector indicated that it was unclear if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his rehabilitation but conceded it was "getting tight" for him to recover fully for the opener.
Alternative Arrangements
In case of absence, former captain Steve Smith will assume leadership.
All-rounder Cameron Green was withdrawn recently from Australia's squad for their ODI contests against the Asian giants as a safety move because of discomfort in his torso.
He labeled it as a "slight concern and mentioned that he'll feature in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "in a good place to be ready to bowl."
"Extensive planning has gone into creating the schedule for him to be available for the opening match as an dual-role player," Bailey explained.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the starting games in any case. How he handles the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, should it hinder progress for a short period, we just made the decision to take a cautious route."
Fixture Details
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
