Stress Fracture Rules Out Callum Vidler from Australia A’s Tour of India

Overview

• Australia’s Callum Vidler has been ruled out of the India A series with a partial stress fracture.
• The 19-year-old pacer, a U-19 World Cup star, now faces a rehab process.
• Henry Thornton replaces him in the Australia A squad.

Australia’s 19-year-old pacer Callum Vidler has been ruled out of Australia A’s squad for the tour against India A. Vidler sustained a partial stress fracture while playing in the T20 Max in Queensland for his club side Valley. He was named in the squad for the three-match white-ball series against India A.

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Vidler underwent scans last week to understand the extent of the injury. It detected a partial fracture in his L3 vertebrae. He will now have to undergo a rehab process, but there is no confirmation on the duration for which he will be available.

Vidler was a part of the Australian team that lifted the Under-19 cup last and finished as the leading wicket-taker. He took a four-wicket haul in the final of the Sheffield Shield and was termed as one of the most exciting talents in the country.

Vidler joins a long list of Australian pacers who have sustained injuries in the last few months. Pat Cummins is one of the significant names with a stress fracture that has halted his Ashes preparation. Lance Morris decided to undergo back surgery last month, which has ruled him out for 12 months.

A decent performance in India would have enhanced Vidler’s chances of making it to the senior side. 

Henry Thornton to replace Callum Vidler in Australia A’s squad

Vidler is not the first player who have been ruled out of Australia A’s squad for the India A tour. Morris was also named in the squad, but the back surgery meant he was already out of the squad.

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Hence, Brody Couch was named as Morris’ replacement. However, he suffered a side strain and would take a few months to recover. Henry Thornton was named as Couch’s replacement for the red-ball games and will be in the squad for the white-ball matches as well.