The speedster, who acknowledged that he was a touch overwhelmed on his international debut, was dealt a terrible blow just as he was Lance Morris’ hopes of touring New Zealand with Australia’s Test squad later this month have been dealt a cruel blow with the right-armer ruled out of the rest of today’s third ODI against West Indies with a side strain.
The West Australian speedster left the field three balls into his fifth over at Manuka Oval after clutching at his left side. Team officials confirmed the injury not long after.
It was Morris’ second appearance in Australian colours after making a long-awaited international debut in the first ODI on Friday. starting to click.
He returned to the dugout after being assessed and he was seen icing the injured area. He’s set to be sent for scans to determine the extent of the injury.
Morris admitted nerves got the better of him on his international debut last week, taking 0-59 at the MCG last Friday.
But the 25-year-old looked at his best in Canberra as Marnus Labuschagne spectacularly flew to his right at point in his first over on Tuesday to see him dismiss Keacy Carty for his maiden wicket.
He had his second in his next over with a fuller delivery proving too quick for Windies debutant Teddy Bishop as Morris hit speeds up to 146kph.
“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.
“A huge relief for sure (to get that first wicket). It probably wasn’t the textbook nick-off but you take them how the come.”
Speaking after the match, captain Steve Smith suggested Morris had looked like he had just found his groove when he suffered the injury.
“He was bowling nicely . I think he got a bit better rhythm today, he was probably a little bit nervous maybe the other day making his debut,” Smith told reporters.
“But he was starting to get some nice rhythm and then he just said he had a bit of pain in his side and was struggling a bit. So I think he’ll get a scan in the next 12 to 24 hours and they’ll know more then.
“He was up and about just then (post match), he’s been great around the group for over a year now (that) he’s been there or thereabouts.
“And it’s great to see him get a couple of games in, or a game and a half, and he possesses some nice skill so it was good that he was able to get an opportunity.”
Morris will return to WA tomorrow to begin his rehabilitation period. He is facing a race against time to be considered for the two-Test tour of New Zealand beginning in Wellington on February 29.
If he is ruled out, it will be the second overseas tour he has missed through injury in the past year after being left out of the last year’s Ashes squad due to a back stress injury.
It’s the second injury to strike the Aussie camp in the past three days after Matt Short was ruled out of the third ODI with a low-grade hamstring injury.
Short too is facing a race against time to prove his fitness for New Zealand after being named in Australia’s T20 squad earlier today for their three-match series against the Black Caps prior to the Tests.
