Injured Pat Cummins out of Bangladesh tour

Pat Cummins has been ruled out of Australia’s two Test tour of Bangladesh.

“Consequently, Cummins will be unable to participate in the Bangladesh Test series and will now enter into a lengthy rehabilitation programme”.

Fast bowler Pat Cummins has been ruled out due to an injury. “He subsequently underwent an MRI scan yesterday which, unfortunately, has revealed a new early stage lumbar bone stress fracture”, Beakley said.

The latest breakdown will be a bitter pill for the 22-year-old Cummins, who has suffered two previous back stress fractures, along with a serious heel injury and a side strain since his dazzling seven-wicket haul as an 18-year-old debutant in Johannesburg.

James Faulkner will replace Cummins in the Test squad for Bangladesh.

The New South Welshman’s injury signals a chance for Tasmanian Faulkner to resurrect his global career, having not played for his country since being named man of the match in the World Cup final in March.

The NSW quick played his one and only Test to date in South Africa nearly four years ago and appeared to be poised to return to the Test arena in the coming months.

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.

“This is really unfortunate for Pat and I know how disappointed he will be”.

“I think it will open the door a little bit for him, but we’ll just have to wait and see what 11 they want to go with but, yeah, I think it does open it up a little bit more for him”, he said.

Faulkner, 25, who missed the ODI series in England after he was banned for drink-driving in Manchester in July, is a regular in Australia’s limited-overs side.

Like Cummins, Faulkner has played only one Test, having debuted in the dead rubber at The Oval in 2013.

Instead, he will next week join the Australian squad flying to Bangladesh.

“I saw him bowl again today and he had some really good rhythm, so he’s in good form and hopefully he gets the nod and makes his Test debut for Australia”.

Cummins will be replaced by all-rounder James Faulkner.

The first Bangladesh-Australia starts on October 9 at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong.