The Australian skipper has claimed 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an impressive average.
The Australian chief selector Bailey has stated that skipper Cummins will play a "major part" in the upcoming Ashes series.
Speculation had been growing that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a stress fracture in his back that had not yet healed.
Initial reports from the Australian camp suggested no definitive call had been made regarding whether he would play, with the five-Test series set to start on 21 November in Western Australia.
The selector shared that Cummins is "building up" and felt positive about the likelihood of taking part.
"We're aware that the clock is ticking and various factors around that, not only his injury, but further aspects," he commented.
"It's positive. There's strong faith that he'll participate in a key capacity. Ideally it's the first Test. Otherwise, then we'll pick it up."
Past Concerns
The captain missed Australia's limited-overs series against New Zealand and India in the previous weeks after medical tests showed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of spinal problems, with setbacks in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2015-16 forcing him out of several home seasons in four years.
Cummins stated he would be proactive in his approach in his recovery plan to ensure his availability for the contest.
He mentioned that there was no confirmation if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his comeback but admitted it was "becoming urgent" for him to recover fully for the first Test.
Contingency Plans
If he's unavailable, former captain Steve Smith will take over the captaincy.
The talented all-rounder was withdrawn recently from the national team for their ODI contests against India as a precautionary measure because of an abdominal issue.
Bailey described it as a "small issue and stated that he's scheduled to appear in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "ideally positioned to resume bowling."
"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to participate for the first Test as an all-rounder," Bailey explained.
"His involvement was limited to the first two ODIs in any case. The way he swings the willow in shorter formats, if it causes any delay for another day, the choice was made to take a cautious route."
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The Historic Rivalry
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