Breakout paceman Mahli Beardman faces a long stint sidelined with a back stress injury as a poor series against Pakistan continues to haunt Australia.
Beardman reported lower back soreness warming up for the second Twenty20 International of Pakistan's eventual 3-0 series whitewash late last month.
His superb summer is now over, with scans taken in Perth confirming the 20-year-old recent T20I debutant will miss "an extended period".
"Scans have confirmed Mahli Beardman has sustained a lumbar bone stress injury," Cricket Australia said in a statement.
"(Beardman) will now enter an extended period of rehabilitation and will be unavailable for the remainder of the domestic season."
It's a blow for Beardman, who took 11 wickets at 22.38 during an excellent BBL summer for eventual champions Perth Scorchers.
Beardman was rewarded with his first international appearance, posting figures of 2-33 in the first T20I against Pakistan.
He would have been in the frame for a first-class debut now that the Sheffield Shield season has resumed, having been upgraded from his rookie contract last May.
The injury comes after Australia's series against Pakistan ended in a 111-run loss, the country's worst defeat by runs in a T20I.
With a practice match against Netherlands washed out, the disastrous loss is Australia's last hit-out before a T20 World Cup campaign that begins against Ireland on February 11.
Beardman had always been expected back in Australia after the loss after missing selection for the T20 World Cup squad.
