Pat Cummins has been sent home from Australia A's tour of South Africa with a back complaint in the latest injury concern for the talented fast bowler.
Cummins took six wickets in three tour matches against Zimbabwe, South Africa A and India A over the past month, but Cricket Australia announced on Monday that he would return early to have his injury treated.
Pat Cummins.Credit: Brendan Esposito
"Pat reported some left rib/back pain during the Australia A game against India A last week. With only Wednesday's final remaining in the series, the decision was made for him to return to Australia to assess the injury," Australia A physiotherapist Kevin Sims said in a statement.
It is a worrying sign for the 20-year-old, who has missed the last two Australian domestic summers due to back and foot injuries following a remarkable Test debut in 2011.
He bagged man-of-the-match honours against South Africa in Johannesburg which included claiming 6-79 in the second innings and hitting the winning runs in a narrow Australian victory.
Cummins was also sent home from Australia's one-day tour of England in the middle of last year with a side strain.
The NSW quick has made just six first-class appearances in three years due to his long list of injuries.
AAP