The Australian skipper has taken 309 Test scalps in 71 appearances with an average of 22.10.
Australia's chair of selectors George Bailey has stated that skipper Cummins will be a central figure in the upcoming Ashes series.
Speculation had been growing that Cummins might sit out due to a ongoing back issue that had not yet healed.
Earlier indications from the squad suggested no official announcement had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the Test matches scheduled to begin on November 21 in Western Australia.
The selector shared that his recovery is on track and remained hopeful about the likelihood of participating.
"We're aware that time is getting short and various factors around that, not only the back issue, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.
"The outlook is good. There's strong faith that he's going to play a significant role. With luck it's the first Test. Should that not happen, then we'll pick it up."
Past Concerns
Cummins was ruled out Australia's limited-overs series against New Zealand and India recently after examinations confirmed a stress reaction in his back.
He has a history of back injuries, with flare-ups in multiple past seasons forcing him out of multiple domestic campaigns in a limited period.
Cummins stated he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his rehabilitation process to make the squad for the Ashes.
He mentioned that he did not know if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his comeback but admitted it was "pressing" for him to regain fitness for the first Test.
Backup Options
Should Cummins not be fit, ex-skipper Smith will assume leadership.
The talented all-rounder was withdrawn recently from Australia's squad for their one-day international series against the subcontinent side as a safety move because of an abdominal issue.
The selector characterized it as a "slight concern and mentioned that he'll feature in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "well-prepared to be ready to bowl."
"Considerable effort has gone into building out the plan for him to participate for the initial game as an dual-role player," he elaborated.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the first two ODIs anyway. How he handles the willow in shorter formats, should it hinder progress for a short period, we opted to approach this more conservatively."
Match Calendar
Australia vs England: The Ashes
From November 21, 2025 to January 7, 2026
