Back injury may force Pattinson to miss remainder of series

Port of Spain (Trinidad), April 19 (IANS) Exciting young Australian fast bowler James Pattinson has injured his back and will miss the remainder of the West Indies tour.

Pattinson is not likely to bowl on the final day of the second Test here or play the last Test in Dominica, beginning Monday.

With Pattinson out, Australia are left with just one front-line fast bowler, Ben Hilfenhaus, when they try to push for an unlikely victory in the rain-marred second Test, reports the Telegraph.

Australia ended the fourth day at 73 for three, a lead of 127, and will force the pace in the hope of bowling the hosts in two sessions.

Pattinson, 21, is playing his first Test in almost four months after breaking down with stress fractures of the foot during the New Year's Test against India in Sydney. In five Tests after making his debut last summer, he has claimed 26 wickets at 19.

Peter Siddle was ruled out of second Test and is in doubt for the series after suffering back problems during Australia's dramatic first Test victory in Barbados, while Ryan Harris was rested.

Australia played two spinners in Trinidad, opening the bowling with recalled left-armer Michael Beer, while off-spinner Nathan Lyon claimed 5 for 68 in the first innings.