Melbourne: Australia’s leading pacer and Test captain Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the upcoming white-ball series against India and New Zealand due to a lower-back injury. Cricket Australia confirmed that Cummins’ rehabilitation is being closely managed with the Ashes series in mind.

Australia will face New Zealand in three T20 Internationals starting October 1, followed by a home series against India comprising three ODIs from October 19 to 25 and five T20Is from October 29 to November 8. The Ashes campaign then kicks off in Perth on November 21. According to Cricket Australia, Cummins will not be considered for the limited-overs matches against New Zealand and India and will focus on recovery and preparation for the Ashes.

"Cummins won't be considered for the upcoming limited-overs series against India (or New Zealand) and will continue his rehabilitation plan with a return to bowling to be determined as part of his Ashes preparation," read CA's statement.

The 32-year-old played over 95 overs during the Test series in the UK and the Caribbean this winter before experiencing back pain. Medical scans revealed lumbar bone stress requiring ongoing management ahead of the demanding Ashes series, which features five Tests over seven weeks. This injury is a recurrence of back issues that have troubled Cummins earlier in his career, raising concerns about his ability to endure the full Ashes schedule.

With inputs from PTI