Aussie pacer Coulter-Nile faces lengthy absence after bone stress injury

Australia pacer Nathan Coulter-Niles horror run of injuries continued as he was diagnosed with a bone stress injury on Monday that will require a "lengthy rehabilitation period".

Cricket Australia's (CA) update on Coulter-Nile came days after he was sent home early from the team's tour of Sri Lanka, ruling him out of the remainder of the ongoing One-Day International (ODI) series and the Twenty20 Internationals that follow.

The Western Australia (WA) quick had been with the squad for the duration of the tour, although he wasn't seen in action since the intra-squad practice match nearly seven weeks ago, CA reported.

A back complaint had hindered the 28-year-old's preparation for the ODI series opener in Colombo, which Australia won by three wickets, however those concerns had seemingly been put to the rest when he bowled with serious pace in the nets at Premadasa Stadium last Tuesday.

But last Thursday, it was announced the quick would be sent home for further investigation into the injury late last week.

"After returning to Australia, Nathan underwent an MRI scan which has unfortunately revealed a lumbar bone stress injury in his lower back," team's physiotherapist David Beakley said on Monday.

"He will now enter a lengthy rehabilitation period with his return to play will be determined in due course."

While the exact length of Coulter-Nile's lay-off is yet to be determined, New South Wales (NSW) speedster Pat Cummins, who also suffered an "early stage lumbar bone stress fracture" 11 months ago, only made his return to cricket in a trial match for the Blues last week.

--IANS

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