The Australian skipper has taken 309 wickets in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
The Australian selection chief Bailey has confirmed that skipper Cummins will have a crucial role in the upcoming historic rivalry.
Rumors had circulated that the veteran bowler might sit out due to a ongoing back issue that remained unresolved.
Earlier indications from the squad suggested no official announcement had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the five-Test series scheduled to begin on 21 November in Perth.
Bailey expressed that the captain is progressing and remained hopeful about the prospects of taking part.
"It's clear that time is getting short and there are permutations at play, aside from his injury, but further aspects," the selector added.
"We're encouraged. There's strong faith that he will feature a major part. With luck it's the first Test. Should that not happen, we'll adjust."
Past Concerns
He was sidelined Australia's limited-overs series against New Zealand and India recently after scans revealed a stress reaction in his back.
Previous incidents include of spinal problems, with recurrences in multiple past seasons causing him to miss three Australian summers in four years.
Cummins stated he would be proactive in his approach in his comeback strategy to make the squad for the contest.
He mentioned that there was no confirmation if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his recovery but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to be fit for the initial match.
Backup Options
In case of absence, ex-skipper Smith will assume leadership.
The talented all-rounder was withdrawn recently from the national team for their one-day international series against the Asian giants as a precautionary measure because of soreness in his side.
The selector characterized it as a "minor" injury and confirmed that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to resume bowling."
"Considerable effort has gone into developing the strategy for him to participate for the first Test as an batting and bowling option," the selector detailed.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the initial matches in any case. The way he swings the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, if it causes any delay for another day, the choice was made to approach this more conservatively."
Series Schedule
The Historic Rivalry
Spanning from late 2025 to early 2026
