Cricket Australia, have revealed that pace bowlers, Peter Siddle and James Pattinson, have returned home from the Caribbean, after succumbing to back soreness.
According to the team’s physiotherapist, Kevin Sims, Siddle had complained of back pains late into the first Test against the West Indies.
“Peter Siddle developed some back soreness late in the first Test against the West Indies and scans conducted in Trinidad showed the early signs of a low back bone stress injury,” Sims said.
Siddle was ruled out of the second Test, which ended as a draw, because of fears that he would further aggravate the injury.
“He was subsequently ruled out of the second Test and after further consultation we feel that to prevent this injury developing any further it is in Peter’s best interest for him to return to Australia to rest and for appropriate physiotherapy to ensure he is fully fit when next selected for Australian duties,” Sims said.
Sims, added that Pattinson’s injury was caused by fielding and throwing awkwardly on the third day of the second Test.
“James Pattinson had an episode of acute low back pain after fielding and throwing awkwardly late on day three of the second Test. We have since monitored his condition over the last couple of days and the initial investigations suggest that while the injury is not serious there is insufficient time for him to recover to play in the 3rd Test match,” he said.
Pattinson, was also advised to return back to Australia, because the team did not want his injury to become any worse.
“As such, we have today made the decision for James to return to Australia to prevent this injury developing any further and for him to receive the appropriate medical and physiotherapy management,” Sims added.
Australia, who have a 1-0 lead in the Test series against the West Indies, will not be sending any replacements for either Siddle or Pattinson.