Australia captain Meg Lanning will miss this summer’s Ashes series against England due to medical reasons, Cricket Australia has announced.
Lanning, 31, has been removed from the team on the advice of medical staff due to a condition requiring home care, it said.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Alyssa Healy will captain the team in his absence.
“It’s disappointing for Meg,” said CA’s Head of Performance (Women’s Cricket), Shawn Flegler.
“Obviously they’re disappointed to be knocked out of the Ashes,” he added.
“He is an important player for the team and he will be missed, but he understands the importance of putting his health first.
“Meg will remain at home where she will continue to work with her medical team with the aim of getting her back to playing as soon as possible.”
Lanning, who has won two Women’s Cricket World Cup titles, only returned to cricket in January following a six-month break. He then led Australia to their fifth Twenty20 World Cup title the following month.
All rounder Tahlia McGrath will act as the vice captain of the series.
There is no replacement for Lanning in the squad as the players could be available for the Australia A team which is coming to England at the same time.
The multi-nation Ashes series begins with a Test in Nottingham on 22 June and is followed by three T20 matches and three international matches.