Melbourne, Sep 24 (IANS): Pacer Pat Cummins was ruled out of Australia's impending tour of Bangladesh due to a stress fracture in his back on Thursday.

Australia will play two Test matches in Bangladesh. The first match begins on October 13 at Chittagong.

Cricket Australia physiotherapist David Beakley said in a statement: "Pat Cummins experienced lower back pain during the last ODI match in the United Kingdom and this pain continued upon his return to Australia. He subsequently underwent an MRI scan yesterday which unfortunately has revealed a new early stage lumbar bone stress fracture."

“Consequently Pat will be unable to participate in the Bangladesh Test series and will now enter into a lengthy rehabilitation program.”

Australia's selection panel named Tasmanian all-rounder James Faulkner as his replacement.

Selection panel chairman Rod Marsh said: “This is really unfortunate for Pat and I know how disappointed he will be. He is a young bowler with a bright future for Australia and we were really pleased with how he bowled in the UK."

“We have opted to replace him with James Faulkner. James comes back into the Australia Test side having only played the one Test, but he is an exciting young bowler who could be very handy in the conditions we are likely to see in Bangladesh.”