James Pattinson ruled out of Ashes with back injury

In a major blow to Australia, pacer James Pattinson has been ruled out of the upcoming Ashes against England after re-aggravating his back injury.

The 27-year-old will now take an indefinite break from cricket after the medical staff revealed the seriousness of his lower back stress fracture which ruled him out of Australia's recent tour to Bangladesh.

Dejected to confirm the news, Pattinson said that he is extremely disappointed to miss out the possibility to play in a home Ashes series, especially after just getting back into a good run of playing cricket.

"Obviously I am extremely disappointed with this setback after just getting back into a good run of playing cricket. I'm especially disappointed to miss out on the possibility to play in a home Ashes series," cricket.com.au quoted Pattinson as saying.

"Over the next few weeks I will discuss all available options available to me with medical staff, to work out the best plan to prevent this from happening again," he added.

Pattinson, who has not played since July 1 when he represented Nottinghamshire in the final of England's one-day tournament against Surrey at Lord's, was a member of Australia's Champions Trophy campaign in England but was not selected as Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins handled the fast-bowling duties.

He was then ruled out of the subsequent tours of Bangladesh and India due to pain he complained of following appearances in the English county season.

Although England are Ashes holders, they have lost two out of their past three tours against Australia Down Under by 0-5.

England will now be desperate to hit the ground running when the two sides meet at the Gabba in Brisbane on 23 November. 

-ANI