The fast bowler Pat Cummins is expected to miss nearly all of the 2012-13 season due to a stress fracture in his lower back. The diagnosis means Cummins, 19, will not be part of the Test series against South Africa or Sri Lanka, and almost certainly will not be considered for the Test tour of India in February, while his possible involvement in the Ashes tour of England might depend on whether he is able to play any first-class cricket before then.
Cummins, 19, has not played a first-class match since his Test debut last November in Johannesburg, where he collected seven wickets and was Man of the Match. Australia's selectors had hoped he would be available for the third Test against South Africa at the WACA, but having returned home from the Champions League Twenty20 in South Africa with back soreness, he had scans in Melbourne this week.
"Pat Cummins returned from Champions League Twenty20 duties with the Sydney Sixers with some back soreness," Alex Kountouris, the Australia team physio, said. "Because of his age and past history we decided to investigate the source of the pain and unfortunately he has an early stage stress fracture of his spine, confirmed by scans today.
"Pat had a spine bone stress injury a few years ago but the current injury is new and in an entirely different part of the spine. We expect he will recover fully from this injury and will be closely monitored to determine his return to the playing field, but expect that he will miss most of the 2012-13 domestic cricket season."
Cummins missed most of last summer due to a foot injury and has managed only four first-class matches - including his Test debut - in his short career.
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Injured Cummins out for the season
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Injured Cummins out for the season
