“Scans on James Faulkner’s injured side have confirmed a moderate grade abdominal muscle strain”

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Australia all-rounder James Faulkner has been diagnosed with a side strain and will undergo “intensive treatment” over the next two weeks.

Faulkner sustained the injury while bowling during the ODI tri-series final against England in Perth last Sunday.

“Scans on James Faulkner’s injured side have confirmed a moderate grade abdominal muscle strain which is consistent with a ‘typical’ fast-bowing side strain injury,” team physio Alex Kountouris said. “He will receive intensive treatment for the next two weeks before we can determine when he can return to batting and bowling.”

Australia head coach Darren Lehmann has confirmed that Faulkner will miss the Baggy Greens’ first World Cup match, which will be against England in Melbourne on February 14.

“Not at the moment because we really don’t know the extent of the injury until it settles down,” Lehmann said. “It’s not a re-occurring injury like Michael’s, time will tell, we’ll wait and see.

“I think that would rule him out of the first game, but I’m hoping he’ll then be right to go. Fingers crossed, he’s an important player. We need to make sure the next 10-12 days go well for him.”