Jackson Bird is flying home early from England having suffered, seemingly, a back injury whilst bowling in the 4th test at Chester-le-Street. He is the second bowler to go home from the tour after James Pattinson also withdrew from the series after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in the back.

I have said this before: fast bowlers getting injured is a natural part of the game. They run 20 metres at a fair pace and then hurl a piece of leather as fast as they can in a ridiculously unnatural motion.

That said: I hope those at Cricket Australia Towers are looking at the preparation and preparedness of Australia’s young fast bowlers for top line cricket because it seems like every time one is asked to bowl a long spell he gets injured.