Paceman Pat Cummins has reinjured his back and will not be able to take part in the Indian Premier League season.
Cummins is just 24 and the inability to play IPL, due to bone swelling in his spine, will turn out to be a costly proposition.
Cummins’ back was bothering him during the recent Test tour of South Africa, where he did most of the work in attempting to carry a depleted baggy green squad in the fourth Test in Johannesburg.
So, the ball tampering disgrace that resulted in Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being sent home early had ramifications for someone outside the three, that someone being Cummins, who will lose out financially.
It would seem as though Cummins should avoid South Africa. Six years ago, in the exact same spot, he hurt his foot, which was the first of a series of injuries that have dogged him throughout his international career.
Back injuries are hard to properly diagnose and treat and no return date has been set for Cummins, who could be out long enough to see him missing out of an ODI tour of England in June.
Speaking to reporters in remarks that were picked up by the AAP, Cricket Australia medico David Beakley said, “It is important that Pat has time off bowling, to prevent the injury becoming more serious and consequently we have made the decision to rule Pat out of the IPL. Pat will now undergo a period of recovery and rehabilitation and we will look to re-scan him in a few weeks to assess the healing.”
That decision is going to cost Cummins to lose out on $830,000 that he would have received for bowling for Mumbai in the IPL.
Cummins’ bowling had been quite keen leading up to the back strain. He took 22 wickets in the South Africa series and was named Australia’s man of the South Africa series.
He bowled 46.5 overs in the final match and even contributed with the bat.
