Western Australia stunned as Marsh's stress fracture ends cricket summer

Sydney, Feb 18(ANI): Western Australia has been left stunned after all rounder Mitchell Marsh's back stress fractures brought his cricket summer to a premature end.

Marsh has been ruled out for the next six months after he complained of back soreness following Western Australia's outstanding win against Queensland last week.

He complained of soreness after a net session at the SCG on Thursday and scans brought out the worst possible outcome.

"He was stiff and sore after training and said he was quite sore after the last game as well," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted a Cricket Australia source, as saying.

Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) officials said there was no indication that Marsh was on the verge of a break down when he returned to the Australian one-day squad.

"It has come as a real surprise and a shock to us. [Captain] Marcus North said the news came as a shock to him and he said that Mitch only bowled in short spells at the Gabba and did not say anything about any problems. But Mitch left us the day after the Shield match to join up with the Australian team," said WACA cricket manager Andrew Scotford.

Marsh's breakdown follows foot injuries to young pace men Pat Cummins and James Pattinson that halted their season. (ANI)