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Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins has broken down again, a stress fracture in his back ruling him out of next month’s Test tour of Bangladesh.
The injury-plagued NSW quick was hoping to add to his only Test match after a four-year absence, but Cricket Australia on Thursday said the 22-year-old would remain at home and faced a “lengthy rehabilitation program”.
Tasmanian allrounder James Faulkner has been named as Cummins’ replacement for the two-Test tour.
Cummins has struggled with back stress fractures, foot injuries and side strains since being man of the match in his 2011 Test debut against South Africa in Johannesburg.
However, over the past year, Cummins has had a good run, playing 13 one-day internationals and four Twenty20 games for Australia.
In last month’s ODI series against England, Cummins was clocked at more than 150km/h to have England’s batsmen hopping around, but experienced lower back pain in the fifth and final match.
“This pain continued upon his return to Australia,” Cricket Australia physiotherapist David Beakley said in a statement.
“He subsequently underwent an MRI scan yesterday which unfortunately has revealed a new early stage lumbar bone stress fracture.
“Consequently Pat will be unable to participate in the Bangladesh Test series and will now enter into a lengthy rehabilitation program.”
Left-arm medium-pacer Faulkner, who has also only played one Test, will be suited to the dry and dusty wickets of Bangladesh says Australia’s chairman of selectors Rod Marsh.
Faulkner missed the ODI series in England after being banned for a drink-driving conviction while playing county cricket for Lancashire.
“He is an exciting young bowler who could be very handy in the conditions we are likely to see in Bangladesh,” said Marsh.
Late on on Thursday, Faulkner said it was great to be back in the mix again.
“Hopefully, I can get an opportunity.
“I was just about to start a practice game for Tasmania and I literally picked up my phone as Rod (Marsh) was calling me so it was a nice phone call to get before I walked onto the ground for a little hit-out”, he said.
“I obviously feel shattered for Pat (Cummins), though. I’m close with Pat and have spent a lot of time with him,” Faulkner said.
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