Australia's Ashes and T20 World Cup 2026 preparations have suffered a body blow, with Pat Cummins being ruled out of the white-ball assignments against New Zealand and India due to lumbar bone stress.

While he is clear of stress fractures, the Australian Test captain will continue a rehabilitation plan after complaining of back soreness following his side's successful tour of the West Indies. There is no guarantee of his participation in the first Ashes Test against England on November 21.

Addressing the media, chairman of selectors George Bailey said there are no major concerns for Cummins, and remained positive about his appearance in the Ashes opener at Perth.

"It still feels like there's plenty of time," Bailey told reporters on Tuesday. "(The) full expectation (is) that Pat will be right to go come the first Test."

Back injuries troubled Cummins in the early stages of his international career, though since his appointment as Test captain in November 2021, the ace pacer has missed just two matches in the format.

When asked if there were concerns surrounding Cummins' selection despite a lack of match action, Bailey highlighted the fast bowler's consistency across a glittering career.

"If it got to that stage (where Cummins played no cricket ahead of the Ashes) I still think that we'd be comfortable with Pat's experience and skill level," Bailey said.

Australia aim to defend the Ashes on home soil, having retained the urn in a 2-2 series draw in England two years back.

The Aussies will be forced to rethink in the T20I format, with Mitchell Starc's retirement in addition to Cummins' injury leading to a bowling reshuffle.

Recalled all-rounder Marcus Stoinis is one player who looks set to carry the bowling workload in their absence, alongside fellow quicks Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Xavier Bartlett and Josh Hazlewood.

Australia’s T20I Squad for New Zealand series:

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