Australia have suffered another injury setback with star allrounder Cameron Green sustaining a back problem which has forced him out of the rest of their white-ball tour to England.
Green missed out on Friday's fourth one-day international at Lord's and has flown back to Perth after suffering the problem following the third-match defeat at Chester-le-Street on Tuesday.
A team spokesperson said on Friday: "Green reported soreness following the third ODI. He will return home for further assessment where his return-to-play management plan will be determined."
The setback for the 25-year-old is a concern so close to a busy international summer for the Australians, in which Green is set to be a key figure in their bid to win the five-match Test series against India.
The first Test is set for Perth on November 22, following three ODIs and three T20Is against Pakistan earlier in the month.
It's of particular concern because, as he was making his way as a young player in the domestic professional game, Green was beset by a series of back stress fractures.
Green had looked in good nick during the England series, having scored 42 and taken 2-45 in Australia's third ODI, while previously having been the visitors' top wicket-taker in the T20I series win in Scotland.
He was badly missed in the heavy defeat at Lord's on a surface and in conditions that helped the seamers, leaving teammate Travis Head to sympathise with his plight after the match.
"Cam's flown home. I found out about him as we went on to the team bus and haven't had the chance to talk to him yet, but I'll reach out to him," said the opener.
"Obviously it's disappointing for him, but he can go home and get things sorted. He's been through these things before, Cam, it's disappointing, but he'll know the way to get back."
Green's injury is just the latest in a catalogue of blows for Australia on their UK tour, which left them struggling for pace bowling options after Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Riley Meredith and Ben Dwarshuis all succumbed and young U19s World Cup star, Mahli Beardman, had to be called up.
