Pat Cummins will miss Australia's upcoming limited-overs series against New Zealand and India after sustaining a back issue, though he is expected to be fit for the first Ashes Test against England in November. 

Australia will travel to face the Black Caps in three T20Is between October 1 and 4, before back-to-back ODI and 20-over series at home to India across late October and early November.

The squad for the former series was confirmed on Tuesday, but there was no place for Cummins, who is suffering from lumbar bone stress.

Cummins – who captains Australia's Test and ODI teams – will also miss the eight matches against India to focus on his preparations for The Ashes.

England travel to Perth for the first Test, which begins on November 21, hoping to regain the urn for the first time since a 3-2 series win on home soil in 2015.

Australia's chair of selectors George Bailey said of Cummins' condition: "There always was a de-load planned for him after that West Indies Test series.

"Then he's just reported that he had a little bit of ongoing back soreness as part of that, and a scan just identified a little bit of lumbar bone stress.

"I think the focus for him has and will continue to be preparation for that [Ashes] Test series.

"So, there'll just be some further management and a little bit of rehab around that. But in terms of the plan for the Ashes, I don't think too much will change. 

"There still feels like there's plenty of time. But there's full expectation that Pat will be right to go come the first Test."

Cummins repeatedly suffered from back injuries early in his career, with six years separating his Test debut in 2011 and his second appearance in the format in 2017.

Australia will be desperate to have their red-ball captain in peak condition for The Ashes. Cummins has taken 91 Test wickets versus England – more than he boasts against any other team.

Coming up soon: A quick trip across the Tasman for our Australian men's team.

A 14-man squad has been named to face the @BLACKCAPS in three T20Is  pic.twitter.com/Kyl994OnG8

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) September 2, 2025

Ben Dwarshuis is included in the squad to face New Zealand after impressing against South Africa last month, while Nathan Ellis is absent following the birth of his first child.

Mitchell Owen is back in the touring party after suffering a concussion against South Africa, with Matt Short and Marcus Stoinis also returning.

Australia squad: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa.