Ashton Agar has picked up a calf strain that will rule him out of the entire Vitality Blast group stages.
After a successful stint last season, Agar was set to come back to Wantage Road with the aim of going one step further than the quarter-finals that the Steelbacks achieved last year, but the injury has now prevented the Australian from returning.
“I’m extremely disappointed to be missing this year’s Vitality Blast with Northamptonshire.” Agar said.
“I loved my time there last season, it’s a fantastic club with great people and I’ll be watching and supporting the boys from Perth.” He added.
Head Coach Darren Lehmann said: “We’re all very disappointed for Ashton, but we wish him well in his recovery.”
An overseas replacement for the 2025 Vitality Blast will be announced shortly.