Nathan Coulter-Nile ruled out of Ashes due to back stress fracture injury

Australian speedster Nathan Coulter-Nile suffered from a stress fracture after playing for Western Australia XI against England side in a two-day game. Coulter-Nile was among players who were tipped to be selected for Australia for the upcoming Ashes 2017-18 series. The fast bowler is undergoing rest and is expected to out of action for at least two months.

Coulter-Nile made his first appearance the first-class game after a hiatus of more than two years while captaining Western Australia XI against England in a warm-up game played on 4th and 5th November. The injury to the fast bowler is a cause of concern for the Australian management as James Pattinson also suffered from stress back and is currently going rehabilitation process to regain full fitness by next year.

The injury leaves Australian with two options in terms of backup bowlers in Chadd Sayers and Jackson Bird beside the first-choice pace attack comprising of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc.

Cricket Australia (CA) medical manager  Alex Kountouris  said that Coulter-Nile did experience discomfort in his back after playing the warm-up game against England. The pace bowler did go under examination to reveal that he had sustained a stress fracture injury. Kountouris said that the big positive is that examination of his injury came at a right as he is currently resting to fully recuperate from injury. Nathan Coulter-Nile will go further examination with regards to his back to determine when he can return to play competitive cricket for Australia.

Coulter-Nile has been a regular fixture in the Australian one-day setup and has played regularly for the side in the last two years. He has yet to make his debut for Australia in the five-day format. Australia will be wary as James Pattinson and Nathan Coulter-Nile have been ruled out of injury before the Ashes 2017-18 series. The first game of the Ashes will be played at Brisbane from 23rd November