‘Big loss’: New South Wales leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha ruled out with lower back injury

One of Australian cricket’s most exciting young talents has been ruled out of the first half of the summer with a lower back injury.

New South Wales leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha, one of Australian cricket’s most exciting young talents, has been ruled out of the first half of the summer after being diagnosed with a lower back stress injury.

In a frustrating setback for the Blues, the Sydney Thunder tweaker is not expected to return from injury until the Big Bash League, which gets underway in December.

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“Tanveer is a big loss,” New South Wales captain Kurtis Patterson said on Tuesday morning.

“I love for a young guy how in control of his game and in control of his emotions he is.

“I felt really sad for him, because I think he was in for a really nice start to the year, and I think he’s just going to continue building his case for higher honours.

“Disappointed for him, but that’s life. He’ll learn a thing or two until his back’s up and running again.

“He’s a competitor – he goes out there and competes, even with the bat in his hand, he competes from ball one. He doesn’t give the opposition a sniff.

“I have no doubt … he’ll play a lot of cricket for Australia if he keeps on the trajectory he’s on.”

Sangha made his first-class debut against Victoria last summer, taking 17 wickets in six Sheffield Shield matches for the Blues.

The leg-spinner also represented Australia A during the recent tour of Sri Lanka, snaring seven wickets in two four-day matches before making a cameo appearance for the Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred.

He has starred for the Sydney Thunder over the last two Big Bash seasons, claiming 37 wickets in 27 matches at 17.89 – the only spin bowler with more BBL wickets at a better average is Afghanistan international Rashid Khan.

Cricket Australia sent Sangha to the MRF Academy in Chennai last month, joining a group of emerging batters and spinners to experience the subcontinent’s unique conditions.

Tanveer Sangha of NSW. Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images

In Sangha’s absence, Australian Test spinner Nathan Lyon will lead the New South Wales bowling attack for the Blues’ season opener against Victoria on Friday.

Lyon joins former Australian cricketers Ben Dwarshuis, Moises Henriques and Chris Tremain in a talented NSW squad, with Ollie Davies and Hayden Kerr unavailable due to injury.

“Everyone’s always itching this time of year to actually play cricket,” Patterson said.

“We prepare for a long time, we generally start training in the beginning of June, so everyone’s itching.”

The Marsh Cup contest between Victoria and New South Wales gets underway at Junction Oval on Friday morning, with the first ball scheduled for 10.05am AEST.