A bulging disc has become a big pain in the neck for Chris Lynn, with the star batsman ruled out of the remaining one-dayers against Pakistan and the upcoming one-day international tour of New Zealand.
Lynn has been troubled by the bulging disc in his neck for most of the summer, and he visited a specialist in Brisbane on Tuesday to determine the best course of action.
![Chris Lynn has a neck injury but hopes to return for the Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka.](/web/20170119104114im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/r/f/4/z/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gttog3.png/1484714629508.jpg)
The 26-year-old has been told he needs a period of rest with no weight-bearing activities in order to address the problem, ruling him out of action for the best part of a month.
It means he will miss the three-match ODI series against NZ, starting on January 30.The injury is a bitter blow to Lynn, whose scintillating form in the BBL earned him a call-up to the ODI team for the series-opening win against Pakistan in Brisbane.
Lynn remains a key cog in Australia's limited-overs plans for 2017, with the ICC Champions Trophy in June the next big tournament on the agenda.
Australian coach Darren Lehmann is hopeful Lynn will be able to return in time for the home Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka, starting on February 17.
"He's been playing in a lot of pain, even in the BBL," Lehmann said of Lynn, who had been using medication to manage the problem.
"It's just gotten to the stage where he can't function any more.He's got a couple of weeks of no cricket now - light duties if you like. A little bit of physical stuff, but nothing weight bearing. He's got to calm down the neck. It's quite aggravated."
Victorian batsman Peter Handscomb has been named to make his ODI debut in Thursday's clash with Pakistan at the WACA Ground, while paceman Billy Stanlake will replace the rested Mitchell Starc.The series is level at 1-1 following Pakistan's six-wicket victory at the MCG on Sunday.
Handscomb has been a revelation since earning a shock Test call-up this summer. The 25-year-old is averaging an astounding 99.75 after four Tests, putting him in Donald Bradman territory. And although he's not renowned for being a blaster, Handscomb showcased his one-day potential with an unbeaten 40 off 25 balls during Australia's pursuit of quick runs in their SCG Test win over Pakistan.
"He played a very good one-day sort of innings for us in the Sydney Test match, where we scored quite quickly," Lehmann said. "So he's got all the shots and he's quite innovative.
"He's done outstanding. It's good reward for a good summer."
Stanlake made his ODI debut in the series-opening win at the Gabba. But a bout of illness meant he could only bowl three overs before he was forced from the field. Lehmann has high hopes for what the 204-centimetre paceman can achieve at the WACA Ground.
"He's tall and he's got some bounce, so we think he will be quite effective here," Lehmann said.
Spinner Adam Zampa and allrounder Marcus Stoinis were the unlucky players to miss out on a spot in the Australian XI.
AAP