Injury ruins Coulter-Nile’s Ashes chances

West Australian quick Nathan Coulter-Nile’s Ashes hopes have been shattered by the recurrence of a stress fracture that has troubled the talented but luckless star.

Coulter-Nile is one of the most exciting fast bowlers in the country but has endured a cruel run with injuries, the latest of which has put paid to his hopes of making a Test debut this summer.

Cricket Australia confirmed the news yesterday, ensuring Tasmanian Jackson Bird will be in the frame to step into the Test team should one of first-choice trio Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins succumb to injury over the five-Test series.

Coulter-Nile played his first Shield match in more than two years a fortnight ago, taking combined figures of 4-41 as he helped dismantle Tasmania.

He then backed up for a West Australian XI in a two-day tour match against England, taking 1-43 from 16 overs.

But the 30-year-old experienced a flare-up following the England match, ruining his summer.

Bird, 30, is happy to be in the mix and has no qualms about being referred to as a back-up.

“If those guys are all fit at the start of a Test match they more than likely will play,” Bird said.

“I’ve got no issues with that – those guys are three of the best fast bowlers in the world when they’re up and running.

“I’m under no illusions where I sit in that pecking order ... but there’s been a lot of injuries around in the last 12 months so I’ll be ready to go.”