Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc is expected to miss the Ashes series in Australia later this year because of a back injury.
Cricket Australia have announced that Starc is: "expected to be unavailable for a prolonged period".
The series starts at The Gabba in Brisbane on 21 November, a quick turnaround following England's 3-0 Ashes victory over the summer.
The 23-year-old Starc joins other Aussie quickies Pat Cummins and James Pattinson with back stress fractures while Ryan Harris was also ruled out for two months after a hamstring injury he sustained at the Oval in August.
England and Australia are playing the first back-to-back Ashes since 1974/75 meaning the usual 15-month gap between a series in England and a series in Australia has been reduced to only three months.
Left-armer Starc was Australia's third highest wicket taker over the summer taking 11 wickets at an average of 32.45 in three Test appearances against England.
"While it's a disappointing result for Mitch, we know he will bounce back," said Cricket Australia general manager Pat Howard.
"Starc, James Pattinson and Pat Cummins are all under 24 years of age and we are certainly well aware that until fast bowlers get into their mid-20s they are more susceptible to injury."
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