Australian fast bowler Lance Morris is at risk of missing this month’s Test tour of New Zealand after sustaining a side strain during Tuesday afternoon’s ODI against the West Indies at Manuka Oval.
The 25-year-old limped off the field three balls into his fifth over during the dead rubber in Canberra, not returning for the remainder of the match. Cricket Australia later confirmed he would undergo scans to determine the severity of the injury.
“He just said he had a bit of pain in his side and was struggling a bit,” Australian captain Steve Smith explained to reporters in the post-match press conference.
“I think he’ll get a scan in the next 12 to 24 hours, and they’ll know more then.”
Morris, who made his international debut in Melbourne last week, claimed 2-13 in 4.3 overs, including the dismissals of Keacy Carty and Teddy Bishop, to help Australia roll the West Indies for 86.
“There’s no doubt I felt a bit more relaxed leading into today,” Morris told Fox Cricket before his injury.
“Naturally when you debut, there’s things going on all around you. I probably got caught up in the emotions a bit the other day.”
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Morris, who exceeded 145km/h during Tuesday’s three-hour ODI, was ruled out of last year’s Ashes series in England due to a back stress injury. The West Australian is now in a race against the clock to recover before the two-Test tour of New Zealand, which gets underway on February 29.
Australia is expected to announce its squad for the Test campaign later this week, but Morris’ setback has opened the door for another of the nation’s exciting young quicks.
Victorian seamer Scott Boland, who has been nursing a sore knee this week, remains the Test side’s first-choice reserve pace bowler, but Australia may be tempted to fly Queensland’s Xavier Bartlett across the Tasman Sea following his white-ball heroics against the West Indies.
The 25-year-old claimed eight scalps at 4.75 this week, becoming the first Australian to take a four-wicket haul in their first two ODI appearances.
“I remember facing (Bartlett) five or six years ago in the Gabba nets before a Test match, and I remember just seeing the seam coming down and thought, ‘gee this guy presents a beautiful seam,’ which you don’t see all the time,” Smith continued.
“Seeing him come out in this series and seeing him bowl well is outstanding. He presented that seam I spoke about, swung it and got the rewards. It looks like he has a bright future.”
Michael Neser and Spencer Johnson are also among the candidates to join Australia’s Test squad in New Zealand later this month, but it remains to be seen how many reserve bowlers will be required for the two-match tour.
“There’s plenty of options out there,” Smith said.
“We’re certainly not short of fast bowlers at the moment.”
