Australia suffer Pattinson injury blow

After a catastrophic 347-run four-day defeat at Lord’s, Australia’s Ashes hopes have been struck with a further blow tonight following the news that fast-bowler James Pattinson is out of the rest of the series having suffered a stress fracture of the lower back. Pattinson originally complained of back and hip soreness following the Lord’s Test, yet since being assessed by medical staff, the extent of his injury has been revealed as much more severe.

Although the 23-year-old has looked a long way short of his menacing best in the series thus far – taking just 7 wickets at an average of 43.85 – Pattinson has also chipped in with a couple of useful lower-order knocks with the bat. The loss of the Victorian speedster is subsequently a major blow for the Aussies, and now Lehmann, Clarke and co. must decide on the best way to balance the side in his absence.

A straight swap could see a return to the side for left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc, who took match figures of 5-135 in the first Test at Trent Bridge. It has already been well highlighted that England’s batsmen have struggled against left-arm seamers in the past, most recently Trent Boult and Neil Wagner of New Zealand. Thus 23-year-old’s ability to swing the ball back into the right-handers may lead to the Aussies bringing Starc back into the side.

Another seam bowling option for Australia is Jackson Bird. The 26-year-old – who plays his state cricket in Tasmania – made his Test debut in last year’s Boxing Day encounter against Sri Lanka at the MCG, taking 11 wickets in two matches at 16.18. With over 100 first-class wickets to his name, Bird has the ability to swing the ball both ways and is a strong option for the tourists in Pattinson’s absence. Prior to the Ashes, fast-bowling legend Merv Hughes suggested Bird could be “one of the bowlers of the tour”.

He added, “He is a top bowler, he doesn’t give much away, he seams it and he swings it. Personally, I think he’s going to be the most important bowler for the Australian’s in this campaign.”

Alternate options for the Australians are all-rounder James Faulkner and Nathan Lyon. Rajasthan Royals star Faulkner – who has yet to make his Test debut – would strengthen the side in all departments; he averages 29.90 in first-class cricket with the bat and has taken 131 first class wickets at 22.63. Lyon – who has played 22 Tests for his country – may also return to the side and could form a duel-spin attack with youngster Ashton Agar.

There is of course plenty of time for each of these candidates to prove their form and fitness ahead of the third Test at Old Trafford, which begins on August 1^st. The Australians face Sussex in a three-day Tour match beginning at Hove on Friday, offering the likes of Lyon, Bird, Faulkner and reserve wicket-keeper Matthew Wade the chance to submit their selection credentials. Bad-boy batsman David Warner could also return to the Australian line-up for the third Test, as Lehmann desperately searches for a winning formula, in order to avoid a humiliating series defeat. Anything less than a win for the Australians at Old Trafford means England will either win or retain the Ashes.