The pace bowler has taken 309 wickets in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
The Australian selection chief the selector has confirmed that skipper Cummins will have a crucial role in the forthcoming Ashes series.
There were concerns that the veteran bowler might sit out due to a persistent back stress problem that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from team management suggested no official announcement had been made regarding his involvement, with the Test matches scheduled to begin on November 21 in the WACA.
Bailey expressed that his recovery is on track and felt positive about the prospects of taking part.
"It's clear that the clock is ticking and there are permutations at play, aside from the back issue, but other factors as well," he commented.
"We're encouraged. There's strong faith that he will feature a major part. Hopefully from the opening match. If not, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
He was sidelined the white-ball matches against New Zealand and India in the previous weeks after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.
There is a track record of spinal problems, with recurrences in multiple past seasons forcing him out of three Australian summers in four years.
The bowler mentioned he would be bold in recovery efforts in his rehabilitation process to make the squad for the contest.
Bailey noted that he did not know if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his comeback but conceded it was "becoming urgent" for him to be fit for the first Test.
Contingency Plans
In case of absence, veteran batsman Smith will take over the captaincy.
The talented all-rounder was recently pulled out from the ODI lineup for their limited-overs matches against the Asian giants as a preventive step because of discomfort in his torso.
Bailey described it as a "small issue and confirmed that he's scheduled to appear in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "ideally positioned to deliver overs."
"Considerable effort has gone into creating the schedule for him to be available for the opening match as an dual-role player," he elaborated.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the initial matches regardless. His aggressive style the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, if it causes any delay for another day, the choice was made to adopt a safer strategy."
Fixture Details
The Ashes: Australia v England
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
