Australian paceman James Pattinson to have follow-up scans on troublesome shins next week

JAMES Pattinson requires follow-up scans on his shins next week after becoming the latest fast bowler to pull up sore from the tour of NZ.

Australian bowler James Pattinson looks on following a bowling spell on day 4 of the second Test Match between Australia and New Zealand at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch, Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY, IMAGES TO BE USED FOR NEWS REPORTING PURPOSES ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE WHATSOEVER, NO USE IN BOOKS WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM AAP

JAMES Pattinson requires follow-up scans on his troublesome shins next week after becoming the latest fast bowler to pull up sore from the tour of New Zealand.

Cricket Australia and Pattinson will be desperately hoping there’s no stress fracture shown up by the scan results, given he only narrowly avoided suffering the serious lower leg injury earlier in the summer.

Peter Siddle has already been ruled out for a significant portion of the year with stress fractures in his back, and although there is no more Test cricket until the team flies to Sri Lanka in July, the cloud hanging over Pattinson is concerning given his long history of injury setbacks.

The lay-off period for shin stress fractures can be at least four months and this is a supreme young talent that’s had enough time on the sidelines as it is.

Pattinson starred with a dominant six-wicket performance in Christchurch to propel Australia to the No.1 ranking – further testament to the renowned tough man’s ability to bowl through the pain barrier.

Regardless of scan results, Pattinson would have to be carefully managed through the rest of Victoria’s Sheffield Shield season.

Pattinson was never even considered for the trans-Tasman series opener against New Zealand in Wellington after experiencing soreness in his shins following the Sydney Test in early January.

Medical and coaching staff realised that their pace ace was realistically only ever going to be able to get through one match in New Zealand and that kind of careful approach indicates the battle-weary 25-year-old’s body might be in need of an extended rest.

To have gotten Pattinson through four Test matches this summer is an achievement in itself given his long list of injury setbacks.

It seems like every series these days is a taxing one for Australia’s fast bowling stocks, but the win in New Zealand showed that the depth is strong.

Jackson Bird could be a big beneficiary out of the concerns hovering over Siddle and Pattinson ahead of Sri Lanka.

Bird is firming for inclusion on that next Test tour in July after impressing with an important five-wicket haul against the Black Caps, when he was under pressure to perform.

The 29-year-old could also score a county cricket deal.

Mitchell Starc is targeting a return for the Sri Lankan Test tour and express quick Nathan Coulter-Nile could also come into contention for that trip, particularly if Pattinson is out of the running.

Pat Cummins is tracking well in his return from a back injury and could come back into the mix for the next home summer.