Fast bowler Pat Cummins ruled out of Australia’s tour of Bangladesh

Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the upcoming tour to Bangladesh after a picking up a back injury in the fifth and final One Day International against England on September 13th.

Cummins underwent scans on Wednesday to ascertain the extent of his injury and a stress fracture in his back was revealed, which will keep him out of the game for a lengthy period of time.

The 22-year-old has only featured in one Test for Australia since 2011, when he put in a man of the match performance against South Africa, with his short career having been constantly interrupted with injuries, including multiple stress fractures in the back, foot injuries and thigh strains.

He seemed to have turned a corner last year, however, when he featured in four T20s and 13 ODIs. He was even clocked at over 150 kmph in the ODI series against England earlier this month.

Cummins attributed his latest injury setback to a heavy schedule over the past two years and has already indicated that he will aim to return in time for the T20 World Championship set to be held in India in March 2016.

"I'm not really worried now, compared to a couple of years ago. The fact I was able to come back after bowling a heavy schedule over two years, and to have it culminate in a really successful One Day International series at the back end of it means I'm not worried at all. I know I can do it. While we haven't set out a rehab plan yet - and things will obviously be dictated by my recovery - the Twenty20 World Championship in India early next year has been targeted as a goal for me to try and return for,” Cummins told the Sydney Morning Herald.

All-rounder James Faulkner has been selected as Cummins’ replacement for the upcoming tour to Bangladesh with selector Rod Marsh claiming the medium pacer will be suited to the dry wickets in the sub-continent. Faulkner had missed the ODI series against England after he was banned for driving under the influence of alcohol while appearing for Lancashire in county cricket.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.