Adelaide, Australia – Young paceman James Pattinson will miss Australia's remaining four Tests this season with a side strain, Cricket Australia said on Sunday.
Pattinson failed to complete an over and left the field for scans on a side strain during Saturday's third day's play of the second Adelaide Test against South Africa.
The news was not good Sunday for the 22-year-old fast bowler, playing in his seventh Test. He will take no further part in Australia's remaining Test against South Africa in Perth later this week and the three-Test home series against Sri Lanka.
“James Pattinson sustained a left lower rib injury, similar to a side strain, on day three of the Test, which will effectively rule him out of contention for the remaining Tests this summer,” Australian team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said in a statement.
“Whilst side strains are not uncommon in bowlers, James's injury involves some damage to the end of the rib and will need further investigation at the completion of this Test to determine the best course of management and the time frame to return to bowling.”
Despite his injury Pattinson was able to bat for Australia on Sunday's fourth day, striking the ball sweetly in an unbeaten 29.
It is the second consecutive home summer season that Pattinson has missed through injury, after a foot complaint last January sidelined him during the series against India.
Pattinson's latest setback opens the way for left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc or possibly Mitchell Johnson to play in the final Test starting in Perth on Friday. – Sapa-AFP