Melbourne, Oct. 27 -- Australian skipper Pat Cummins is set to miss the first Ashes Test at Perth due to a back stress injury, the International Cricket Council (ICC) stated on Monday.

In his absence, star batter Steve Smith will be donning the captaincy armband for the first Test at Perth, with Cummins now aiming to be fit for the second Test in Brisbane from December 4.

Cummins has been managing a back injury over recent weeks, and Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed that he will not recover in time to take part in the ICC World Test Championship series opener in Perth from 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 ...