Australian paceman James Pattinson has picked up a back injury that has ruled him out of the rest of the Ashes series.
Cricket Australia have confirmed that the 23-year-old will be sent home for treatment after suffering a stress fracture in his lower back.
Pattinson complained of soreness in his back during the second Test at Lord’s and recent scans have revealed that the damage is far worse than first feared.
In a statement on the CA website, Cricket Australia Team Doctor Peter Brukner said: “James Pattinson reported some hip and back soreness on the final day of the second Ashes Test.
“We had some scans done in London that have identified an early stage low back stress fracture. Unfortunately he will not take any further part in this Test series and will commence a rehabilitation program with the aim to have him back for the Australian summer.”
In the opening Test at Trent Bridge, Pattinson took four wickets to give himself a steady start to the Ashes series but at Lord’s the paceman only managed a wicket in each innings. No replacement has been called up but a number of options could be considered from the Australia squad who are currently in South Africa.
The Aussies could call upon Mitchell Starc, who was dropped from the second Test, but they have other options in James Faulkner and Jackson Bird.
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