The Australian skipper has taken 309 wickets in 71 five-day games with an impressive average.
Australia's chair of selectors George Bailey has confirmed that pace spearhead Cummins will have a crucial role in this winter's England-Australia contest.
Speculation had been growing that the veteran bowler might miss the series due to a stress fracture in his back that was still troubling him.
Earlier indications from the Australian camp suggested no definitive call had been made regarding his involvement, with the Test matches scheduled to begin on the 21st of November in Perth.
Bailey expressed that the captain is progressing and felt positive about the likelihood of participating.
"We're aware that the clock is ticking and multiple considerations at play, aside from the back issue, but additional elements," the selector added.
"We're encouraged. There's strong faith that he'll participate in a significant role. Hopefully from the opening match. Should that not happen, we'll reassess."
Previous Setbacks
The captain missed Australia's limited-overs series against New Zealand and India last month after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of recurring issues, with setbacks in multiple past seasons forcing him out of several home seasons in four years.
He emphasized he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his rehabilitation process to ensure his availability for the contest.
He mentioned that there was no confirmation if he had started his bowling workouts as part of his rehabilitation but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to be fit 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 one-day international series against the Asian giants as a precautionary measure because of discomfort in his torso.
He labeled it as a "slight concern and stated that Green will play in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "ideally positioned to resume bowling."
"Extensive planning has gone into developing the strategy for him to be available for the first Test as an all-rounder," Bailey explained.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the starting games regardless. How he handles the willow in shorter formats, should it hinder progress for another day, we opted to take a cautious route."
Series Schedule
The Ashes: Australia v England
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
