By IANS,
Sydney : Australia’s teen bowling sensation Patrick Cummins is doubtful for the four-match Test series against India as scans on his heel revealed the injury to be worse than first expected.
The 18-year-old injured his heel during his Man of the Match performance on debut against South Africa in Johannesburg last month and has since been ruled out of the onging two-match Test series against New Zealand. He was expected to come back with the first Test against India on Boxing Day in Melbourne but may now miss the entire four-match series.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that his injury was thought to be just a bruised heel but Cricket Australia general manager Pat Howard (CA) said that further scans identified a bone stress component to the injury.
“The medical staff took a decision that Patrick’s recovery versus previous scans did not seem consistent and proactively made the decision that further scans were required,” Howard said.
“These scans have revealed a bone stress injury which pushes out his recovery by a few weeks. This wasn’t picked up in the initial scans done in South Africa. Unfortunately this, when combined with Patrick’s young age to prepare for Test cricket, means that he will miss much of the Indian series. Whilst unfortunate for Pat, this presents an opportunity for other players which was evident in Brisbane and we will continue to support players to have those quality opportunities,” he said.