Daniel Worrall’s Ashes selection bid is over after sustaining a back stress fracture in Gloucestershire

Daniel Worrall’s Ashes dream is done as injury continues to narrow selectors’ options ahead of the August 1 series opener against England in Birmingham.

Daniel Worrall celebrates a wicket for the Stars in the BBL. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

• Nielsen backs veteran Ferg to fire for Redbacks
• Watson gives blood for the cause in IPL final
• Giant-killing blow to World Cup defence

Daniel Worrall’s Ashes dream is done as injury continues to narrow selectors’ options ahead of the August 1 series opener against England in Birmingham.

Swingman Worrall reported back soreness representing English County side Gloucestershire in his second game against Middlesex at Lord’s late last month. Club medicos on Tuesday pin-pointing a back stress fracture.

South Australia Daniel Worrall bowls against Western Australia before breaking down in Perth. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Wainwright.

Former Australian paceman Worrall, 27, was twice sidelined by a back hotspot last season with South Australia, soldiering through constant pain.

“Daniel’s injury is a recurrence of a pre-existing stress injury and he will have the next 12 weeks off bowling,” South Australian Cricket Association medico John Porter told The Advertiser.

“We are aiming for him to return early in the Australian domestic cricket season.”

Worrall, with 172 first-class scalps at 27, was considered an inspired Ashes candidate through his ability to generate 140km/h swing and control the Dukes ball in English conditions.

Selectors must manage spearhead Mitch Starc through the World Cup on return from a pectoral tear. Gun rookie Jhye Richardson will miss the World Cup with a dislocated shoulder and is no certainty to be fit for the Ashes.

Josh Hazlewood, who featured in Australia’s 2015 World Cup title, was overlooked for its 2019 defence. Seamer Hazlewood succumbed to a back injury after the drawn Sydney Test against India last January.

National chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns will be hoping there is no deterioration in Australia’s pace stocks during the World Cup or subsequent Australia A tours.

Tearaway Pat Cummins has gone from injury liability to the iron man of Australia’s attack.

Worrall was sidelined through May-August last year after breaking a metatarsal bone in his foot while playing his inaugural county stint in Gloucestershire.

Worrall fronted for the start of South Australia’s one-day campaign last September before a back strain grounded the paceman. Having taken 17 wickets across 100 overs and three Sheffield Shield games Worrall again broke down again in early December Worrall lasted five Big Bash League games for Melbourne Stars and a Shield match for South Australia against Western Australia in Perth during March before tearing a hamstring.