Canberra quick Jason Behrendorff is considering the same spinal surgery that saved James Pattinson's Test career.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
It's one of a number of options available to the Western Australia-based fast bowler, who has been plagued by lower back problems throughout his career.
Behrendorff returned home from playing for Sussex in the T20 Blast in England at the end of August due to back soreness, but was expected to be part of Western Australia's Marsh One-Day Cup campaign.
But scans have shown it's related to the stress fractures in his lower back.
The 29-year-old has been managing those stress fractures, which has seen him focus on white-ball cricket since the end of 2017.
There are several options open to the left-arm paceman, with more expected to be known later this week.
One option being considered is the spinal surgery Pattinson had in New Zealand to fix his stress fractures in 2017.
Former Kiwi quick Shane Bond also had the same surgery to great effect.
Pattinson returned for his first Test in 3.5 years in Australia's retention of the Ashes in England recently.
He played two Tests, taking five wickets - including figures of 2-9 in the first innings at Headingley.
The 29-year-old had pins and wire inserted to help clamp the fractures shut, while also having a bone graft from his hip to further strengthen the area.
Behrendorff appeared to have put his injury woes behind him and, having already played Twenty20 cricket for his country, made his one-day-international debut for Australia in January.
He was part of Australia's World Cup squad, playing in the semi-final loss to England in Birmingham and starring to take 5-44 against England at Lord's earlier in the tournament.
Before his latest setback, the Canberra native had been considering a return to red-ball cricket and the Sheffield Shield.
He didn't play in Western Australia's convincing 125-run win over Victoria to open their Marsh One-Day Cup campaign on Saturday.
Reports have said he's out for the entire one-day domestic competition and might not be back until the Big Bash League in mid-December, but as yet there's no timeframe set for his return.
"Unfortunately Jason Behrendorff has a recurrence of a stress fracture injury in his back," WA high performance manager Kade Harvey said in a statement.
"We are working with Cricket Australia and investigating all options for Jason's recovery.
"We will do everything we can to help Jason return to the bowling crease as quickly as possible, and an update on the situation will be provided when more information is available."