The Australian skipper has claimed 309 Test scalps in 71 Test matches with an stellar bowling average.
Australia's selection chief George Bailey has confirmed that captain Pat Cummins will have a crucial role in this winter's Ashes series.
Rumors had circulated that the 32-year-old might sit out due to a persistent back stress problem that remained unresolved.
Previous updates from the squad suggested no definitive call had been made regarding Cummins' participation, with the Test matches kicking off on the 21st of November in the WACA.
Bailey expressed that Cummins is "building up" and felt positive about the likelihood of taking part.
"We're aware that the window is narrowing and there are permutations at play, not only his injury, but other factors as well," Bailey remarked.
"It's positive. We firmly believe that he will feature a major part. With luck it's the first Test. If not, we'll reassess."
Previous Setbacks
He was sidelined Australia's limited-overs series against India and New Zealand in the previous weeks after medical tests showed a lumbar bone stress.
There is a track record of recurring issues, with setbacks in multiple past seasons causing him to miss multiple domestic campaigns in a short span.
The bowler mentioned he would be ""aggressive" and "take risks" in his comeback strategy to make the squad for the series.
Bailey noted that he did not know if Cummins had begun bowling as part of his rehabilitation but admitted it was "becoming urgent" for him to regain fitness for the first Test.
Alternative Arrangements
In case of absence, ex-skipper Smith will lead the side.
The talented all-rounder was excluded lately from the ODI lineup for their ODI contests against the subcontinent side as a safety move because of soreness in his side.
The selector characterized it as a "slight concern and confirmed that he'll feature in the Sheffield Shield, so will be "well-prepared to be ready to bowl."
"Extensive planning has gone into building out the plan for him to participate for the initial game as an batting and bowling option," Bailey explained.
"Originally, he'd only feature in the starting games in any case. The way he swings the cricket bat in white-ball cricket, should it hinder progress for a short period, we just made the decision to adopt a safer strategy."
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