MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia captain Pat Cummins will miss the Ashes series opener against England in Perth, Cricket Australia said Monday.

The pace bowler and useful batter is back running after being sidelined for three months with a back stress injury, Cricket Australia said, and he “expects to return to bowling shortly.”

Former skipper Steve Smith will lead Australia in Cummins’ absence when the biggest test cricket series on the 2025 calendar starts on Nov. 21, followed by a day-night test in Brisbane from Dec. 4. The five-match series then moves to Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.

The 32-year-old Cummins hasn't bowled since Australia’s 3-0 series sweep of the West Indies in the Caribbean in July.

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