Bird cleared of back stress fracture concerns by CA medicos

Australian fast bowler Jackson Bird has reportedly been cleared of a back stress fracture, which saw him sent back to Australia early from the England tour, bringing in a ray of hope for the country amid a series of back injuries to their pack of emerging fast bowlers.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, another significant breakdown had been feared from Bird following setbacks to James Pattinson and Patrick Cummins, who were both diagnosed with back stress fractures in the past month.

However, the report said that Bird, who left as the fifth Test started after complaining of back pain, has been cleared by the medical staff of Cricket Australia (CA), although he had suffered a stress fracture of the back that forced him out midway through Australia's ill-fated Test tour of India in March.

While the tourists lost Pattinson and Bird from their squad along the way, the more seasoned Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris have been the ironmen of the attack, featuring in five and four Tests respectively, the report added.