The pace bowler has secured 309 Test scalps in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
The Australian chair of selectors Bailey has stated that skipper Cummins will have a crucial role in the upcoming historic rivalry.
Speculation had been growing that Cummins might be unavailable due to a stress fracture in his back that had not yet healed.
Previous updates from the squad suggested no final decision had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the extended contest kicking off on November 21 in Western Australia.
He revealed that the captain is progressing and felt positive about the prospects of taking part.
"We're aware that time is getting short and various factors involved, not just the back issue, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.
"The outlook is good. There's strong faith that he will feature a significant role. With luck starting in Perth. Should that not happen, we'll adjust."
Previous Setbacks
He was sidelined the ODI and T20 games against New Zealand and India recently after scans revealed a lower back issue.
There is a track record of back injuries, with recurrences in several earlier campaigns forcing him out of multiple domestic campaigns in a short span.
He emphasized he would be bold in recovery efforts in his comeback strategy to make the squad for the contest.
Bailey noted that it was unclear if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his recovery but admitted it was "getting tight" for him to regain fitness for the first Test.
Alternative Arrangements
If he's unavailable, ex-skipper Smith will lead the side.
Versatile player Green was excluded lately from the national team for their limited-overs matches against the subcontinent side as a safety move because of an abdominal issue.
He labeled it as a "slight concern and mentioned that he's scheduled to appear in the domestic first-class competition, so will be "ideally positioned to resume bowling."
"We put so much time has gone into building out the plan for him to participate for the first Test as an all-rounder," the selector detailed.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the initial matches anyway. The way he swings the willow in shorter formats, if it causes any delay for another day, we opted to take a cautious route."
Fixture Details
The Historic Rivalry
21 November 2025 - 7 January 2026
