Teenager Callum Vidler has become the latest promising Australian fast bowler to be struck down with a back injury, ruling him out of the upcoming Australia A tour of India and the start of the home summer.
The 19-year-old burst onto the domestic scene last season, capturing 4/64 and 1/60 for Queensland in their Sheffield Shield final loss to South Australia.
Vidler was already on the radar as a player for the future courtesy of taking 14 wickets in six games during Australia’s U19 World Cup triumph last year, but it was the fiery spell in the Shield final that led to his selection in the Australia A squad.
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Among his four first innings wickets at Karen Rolton Oval, Vidler had Test player Nathan McSweeney caught behind and dismissed Alex Carey, who bottom edged a pull shot onto his stumps after Vidler had unleashed a barrage of fast, short balls at the Australian gloveman.
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 26: Callum Vidler of the Queensland Bulls celebrates the wicket of Henry Hunt of South Australia during the Sheffield Shield Final match between South Australia and Queensland at Karen Rolton Oval, on March 26, 2025, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Such displays will have to wait however, as scans late last week revealed Vidler has a partial fracture in his L3 vertebrae.
He had been playing for his club side Valley, in Queensland’s T20 Max competition, but there is no time frame set on when he will return to the bowling crease as he faces an extended period of rehabilitation.
“Callum experienced some back pain during training and promptly reported it,” Queensland general manager of high performance Joe Dawes said.
“Unfortunately, the scans came back confirming a stress fracture so he will spend some time recovering and then start a rehab plan.
“He’s naturally very disappointed but accepts that injuries are part of the game.
“We’ll work closely with him to ensure he has the best recovery to get him ready for a return to cricket.”
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 13: Callum Vidler of Queensland bowls during the ODC match between Queensland and New South Wales at Allan Border Field, on February 13, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Vidler, who was only due to play the white ball matches in India, is the third fast bowler to have to withdraw from the Australia A squad.
Lance Morris pulled out as he has opted to undergo back surgery which will sideline him for a year.
Morris’ replacement, and Western Australia teammate, Brody Couch then suffered a side strain that should not keep him from the start of the Shield season, but stopped him from getting on the plane to India.
Henry Thornton of South Australia has taken Couch’s place in the squad for the two unofficial Tests starting September 16, and will also fill the void left by Vidler in the three one-day games.
Vidler’s U19 World Cup and Queensland teammate Tom Straker is also in the Australia A one-day squad, but the other members of that fast bowling quartet Mahli Beardman and Charlie Anderson are sidelined.
West Australian Beardman is recovering from stress fractures, while New South Wales’ Anderson has had back issues in the past and is being managed.
Australia A four-day squad: Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Jack Edwards, Aaron Hardie, Campbell Kellaway, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Todd Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Oliver Peake, Josh Philippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, Liam Scott, Henry Thornton
Australia A one-day squad: Cooper Connolly, Harry Dixon, Jack Edwards, Sam Elliott, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Mackenzie Harvey, Todd Murphy, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Lachie Shaw, Tom Straker, Will Sutherland, Henry Thornton