Sidddle Out of New Zealand Tour Due to Stress Fracture

Melbourne: Fast bowler Peter Siddle will miss Australia's tour of New Zealand and the remainder of the domestic season after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in his lower back.

The injury flared during Australia's recent ODI series against Pakistan and was identified Wednesday when Siddle met with a doctor and Australian team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris.

"The source of the pain was investigated after the fifth one-day international and unfortunately scans revealed that he has a lower back stress fracture," Kountouris said in a statement.

"The nature of this injury means that Peter will require a long rehabilitation period and as such he'll be unavailable for the remainder of the domestic summer and the tour of New Zealand."

Meanwhile, veteran fast bowler Brett Lee may make his return from injury in the Indian Premier League starting March 12.

Lee was unable to say Wednesday when his recovery from his most recent injury -- an elbow problem which required surgery -- will be complete but the IPL may provide an ideal comeback venue.

"I'm still quite a few weeks off bowling at this point in time, but I'm comfortable with the way things are shaping up," Lee said.

Lee also indicated he is some way from calling time on his career.

"I have to work out what I want from cricket now," he said. "I'll just see how the arm pulls up, see what's in front of me, and see what things I want to tick off in terms of my cricketing life."

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No games being played at this time. 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 1st Test - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 26-30, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - South Africa v Pakistan at Johannesburg Pakistan won by 36 runs (DLS method) 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining)

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