Australian cricketer Pat Cummins will not participate in the Indian Premier League due to a back injury, according to Cricket Australia.
Cummins sat out of the competition's opening match, in which his Mumbai Indians team fell short to the Chennai Super Kings.
It was confirmed that he is suffering from bone oedema in his vertebrae, which causes swelling at the joint, and in some severe cases, can cause stress fractures if continually aggravated.
Australian cricket physiotherapist David Beakley explained that Cummins experienced soreness in his back during the fourth Test in South Africa and follow-up scans on the pain showed the swelling and confirmed bone oedema as the cause of pain.
"It is important that Pat has time off bowling, to prevent the injury becoming more serious and consequently we have made the decision to rule Pat out of the IPL," Beakley told cricket.com.au.
"Pat will now undergo a period of recovery and rehabilitation and we will look to re-scan him in a few weeks to assess the healing."
"Following this we will be in a better position to decide on Pat's return to play timeline including participation in the limited overs tour of the UK."
Cummins has had a history of back injuries as a young player. His first few years as a member of the Australian Test team was a battle against back injuries but with the right treatment he became one of crickets 'iron men', carving out a path of consistency.
Australia's next Test match looms in October against Pakistan before they face off against South Africa once again.
