The Australian skipper has claimed 309 Test scalps in 71 five-day games with an impressive average.
Australia's chair of selectors George Bailey has stated that pace spearhead Cummins will be a central figure in the upcoming historic rivalry.
There were concerns that Cummins might miss the series due to a ongoing back issue that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from team management suggested no official announcement had been made regarding his involvement, with the extended contest scheduled to begin on November 21 in the WACA.
Bailey expressed that the captain is progressing and felt positive about the likelihood of being involved.
"We know that the clock is ticking and there are permutations around that, not only the physical problem, but other factors as well," the selector added.
"The outlook is good. [We are] really confident that he's going to play a key capacity. Hopefully it's the first Test. Should that not happen, we'll reassess."
Injury History
The captain missed Australia's limited-overs series against both Asian and Trans-Tasman rivals in the previous weeks after medical tests showed a lumbar bone stress.
He has a history of back injuries, with setbacks in multiple past seasons forcing him out of several home seasons in a limited period.
The bowler mentioned he would be proactive in his approach in his comeback strategy to make the squad for the contest.
The selector indicated that he did not know if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his recovery but acknowledged it was "pressing" for him to be fit for the first Test.
Backup Options
Should Cummins not be fit, ex-skipper Smith will take over the captaincy.
All-rounder Cameron Green was recently pulled out from Australia's squad for their ODI contests against the Asian giants as a safety move because of discomfort in his torso.
The selector characterized it as a "small issue and stated that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to deliver overs."
"Extensive planning has gone into creating the schedule for him to take part for the initial game as an batting and bowling option," the selector detailed.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the first two ODIs in any case. How he handles the willow in shorter formats, should it hinder progress for another day, we just made the decision to adopt a safer strategy."
Series Schedule
Australia vs England: The Ashes
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
