Coulter-Nile heads home with back issue

Australia have been forced to make yet another alteration to their one-day international squad, with paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile the latest player to be heading home early from Sri Lanka.

Quick Single: Sri Lanka square series with big win

The news of Coulter-Nile’s tour-ending back injury comes just hours after Steve Smith revealed he was heading home to rest and recuperate with the ODI series locked at 1-1 following the home side’s 82-run victory at R. Premadasa Stadium.

Captain Smith’s departure is simply seen as an opportunity for a rare break from a hectic schedule that will only become more intense once the home summer begins, while the update on Coulter-Nile is more worrying.

Quick Single: Warner captain as Smith withdrawn

The Western Australian quick has been with the squad for the duration of the tour, although he hasn’t been seen in action since the intra-squad practice match six weeks ago.

A back issue had hindered the 28-year-old’s preparation for Sunday’s ODI series opener, which Australia won by three wickets.

However, those concerns had seemingly been put to the rest when Coulter-Nile was charging in at the nets out of the back of the stadium in Colombo on Tuesday, but the decision was made to send the quick home for further investigation into the injury.

“Nathan had been experiencing a gradual increase in lower back pain which is now preventing him from bowling at match intensity,” Bupa support team Physiotherapist David Beakley said.

“He will now return to Perth for further investigation which will determine the extent of the injury and possible return to play timelines.”

Allrounder Mitch Marsh was also sent home to WA early following the Test series sweep, but like Smith, that was seen as a chance to start turning the attention to the home summer featuring key Test campaigns against South Africa and new world No.1 Pakistan.

The National Selection Panel has opted not to replace Coulter-Nile for the remaining three ODIs, with seamers Scott Boland and John Hastings already with the touring party as early arrivals for the two Twenty20s next month.

Australia squad: David Warner (c), George Bailey, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa. Cover: Scott Boland, John Hastings.

Remaining fixtures

Third ODI: Rangiri Dambulla Stadium, 28 August at 7pm AEST

Fourth ODI: Rangiri Dambulla Stadium, 31 August at 7pm AEST

Fifth ODI: Pallekele Stadium, 4 September at 7pm AEST