Young quick out of action

Young gun Holly Ferling has been ruled out of the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars’ series against Pakistan in late August due to a stress fracture in her lower back.

The prodigious quick didn’t realise the extent of her injury at first, citing a history of back pain for her lack of initial concern.

“The funny thing was we were actually getting scans to find something else, so it was a bit of a surprise and probably a bit longer out of the game than we thought it would be,” Ferling told cricket.com.au.

“I’ve always had a bit of lower back pain; especially over the last few seasons, kind of to the point where I was used to it.

“I think that’s the issue; it doesn’t feel like it’s there.

“I’ve got 16 weeks until I can bowl off my full run-up, so I think I’ve still got another nine weeks.”

The 18-year-old quick, who has picked up 19 wickets in just over a year in the national side, had scans upon her return from the Southern Stars’ successful ICC Women’s World Twenty20 campaign in Bangladesh with those tests revealing a stress fracture with bone stress reaction.

“Her age, developing bones and the fact that she’s a fast bowler are all contributing factors,” said CA Chief Medical Officer Justin Paoloni on the injury.

“We are gearing her rehabilitation towards being available for selection next year.”

While Ferling continues to build towards a return, her Southern Stars teammates will head to Brisbane’s National Cricket Centre to prepare for what promises to be a huge summer of cricket.

Despite not being able to take part, Ferling says she’s found a ‘bit of perspective’ in recent times and understands that the injury could have been much worse.

“I’ve timed it well,” she said.

“It’s going to be a little bit frustrating watching the other girls going through their pre-season and playing practice games – especially for me because I like going flat-stick the whole time.

“But the positive I can take out of it is that it’s not an Ashes and it’s not a World Cup.”

With plenty of cricketing years still in front of her, Ferling isn’t taking any chances with her fitness, confessing she wouldn’t try the kind of ‘Mankad’ deployed by Sri Lanka spinner Sachithra Senanayake against England in the fifth ODI at Edgbaston.

“I don’t think I would even attempt it,” Ferling said.

“I fall over enough as it is. That’s my embarrassment quota taken up.

“I just focus on what’s in front of me.”