Nathan Coulter-Nile heading home due to back injury

Australian pace bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile will be heading back home after suffering from back injury. Australia has not opted for a replacement pacers, Scott Boland and John Hastings already being in the Australian camp as early arrivals for the two T20 internationals next month.

Coulter-Nile, who has been a surprise inclusion in the Australian squad for the tour of Sri Lanka, will now be leaving sub-continent along with the skipper Steve Smith, who is being rested ahead of the South Africa series. Australian physiotherapist, David Beakley said that Coulter-Nile will be examined in Perth to determine the extent of the injury and possible return to play timelines.

“Nathan had been experiencing a gradual increase in lower back pain which is now preventing him from bowling at match intensity,” he said. “He will now return to Perth for further investigation which will determine the extent of the injury and possible return to play timelines.”

All-rounder Glenn Maxwell, Chris Lynn, and wicketkeeper Peter Nevill has been recalled into the squad for the T20I series and David Warner will lead the squad in the absence of the skipper.

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“Both Chris and Glenn are dynamic players who are both capable of winning a game from their own bat and they also bring that x-factor in the field,” National Selector Rod Marsh said. “Peter is the incumbent wicket-keeper in the T20 side and had a very good World T20 for Australia, the panel wanted to keep that consistency heading into these two matches.

Australia’s T20I squad: David Warner (c), Scott Boland, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Chris Lynn, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Nevill (wk), Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa