The Australian skipper has claimed over 300 dismissals in 71 five-day games with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's chair of selectors the selector has confirmed that pace spearhead Cummins will have a crucial role in the forthcoming England-Australia contest.
There were concerns that Cummins might be unavailable due to a stress fracture in his back that remained unresolved.
Earlier indications from the squad suggested no official announcement had been made regarding whether he would play, with the five-Test series scheduled to begin on November 21 in the WACA.
The selector shared that the captain is progressing and remained hopeful about the prospects of being involved.
"It's clear that the window is narrowing and various factors around that, aside from his injury, but other factors as well," the selector added.
"It's positive. [We are] really confident that he will feature a significant role. Hopefully starting in Perth. Otherwise, we'll reassess."
Past Concerns
Cummins was ruled out the white-ball matches against India and New Zealand in the previous weeks after scans revealed a lower back issue.
There is a track record of back injuries, with recurrences in multiple past seasons leading to absences from three Australian summers in four years.
Cummins stated he would be bold in recovery efforts in his recovery plan to secure his spot for the series.
Bailey noted that he did not know if the captain had resumed bowling as part of his rehabilitation but acknowledged it was "getting tight" for him to recover fully for the initial match.
Backup Options
If he's unavailable, veteran batsman 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 subcontinent side as a preventive step because of soreness in his side.
Bailey described it as a "small issue and confirmed that he'll feature in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "in a good place to resume bowling."
"Considerable effort has gone into building out the plan for him to be available for the initial game as an dual-role player," Bailey explained.
"His involvement was limited to the first two ODIs regardless. The way he swings the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, even if it just sets him back for 24 more hours, the choice was made to adopt a safer strategy."
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