NEW DELHI: Australia suffered a huge blow as captain Pat Cummins will miss the first Ashes Test against England after failing to recover from his back injury in time.

Cummins has been struggling with a back injury, and Cricket Australia has confirmed that the skipper will miss the ICC World Test Championship opener in Perth starting November 21.

However, the board remains optimistic about his participation later in the series and stated that Cummins has resumed running and is expected to return to bowling shortly in a bid to prove his fitness.

In his absence, star batsman Steve Smith will lead the side for the first Test, while Cummins now targets a return for the second Test in Brisbane on December 4.

Head coach Andrew McDonald said, as quoted by cricket.com.au, "We have grappled with it for a little while. The nature of the injury is that you never know, and you are sort of taking it day by day."

"We have run out of time. We flagged this a week or so ago that it will take four-plus weeks to get him up and running. We have run out of time, unfortunately, but I am really optimistic and hopeful for the second Test match."

"He will be back bowling this week, and that is a huge step. That was the big variable we wanted to add. We are on the journey to that second Test match, and very hopeful that that will be a positive outcome," he concluded.

Cummins' absence is a huge blow for the Aussies. In the 2023 drawn Ashes series in the UK, he ended up as the fourth-highest wicket-taker with 18 scalps at an average of 37.72, with best figures of 6/91. He also made some vital contributions with the bat.

Cummins' absence in Perth will likely allow Scott Boland the chance to partner regular quicks Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, alongside spinner Nathan Lyon.