Siddle injury blow for Australia

Australia paceman Peter Siddle will miss the upcoming tour of New Zealand after suffering a stress fracture of the back.

Siddle was troubled by a sore back during the recent one-day internationals against Pakistan and was rested for the final match of the series, which Australia won 5-0.

He was also left out of the squad for the Twenty20 international against Pakistan on Friday and scans have since revealed the injury is worse than first feared.

"Peter experienced back pain during the Commonwealth Bank Series. The source of the pain was investigated after the fifth ODI and unfortunately scans revealed that he has a lower back stress fracture," team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said.

Peter Siddle will miss Australia's trip to New Zealand after scans showed a stress fracture of his back. He now faces a lengthy spell out

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"The nature of this injury means that Peter will require a long rehabilitation period and as such he'll be unavailable for the remainder of the domestic summer and the tour of New Zealand."

The injury also puts Siddle in doubt for the ICC World Twenty20 in the Caribbean in April and May, as well as two further Tests against Pakistan which follow the New Zealand series.

Meanwhile, Australia have recalled Shane Watson and Doug Bollinger to the squad for the opening two matches of the one-day series against West Indies, beginning in Melbourne on Sunday.

Adam Voges has been left out along with Siddle.

"The NSP has named a largely unchanged squad for the opening two Commonwealth Bank Series matches against the West Indies," chairman of the selection panel Andrew Hilditch said.

"The squad performed extremely well against Pakistan and will look to continue this form against a very good West Indies one-day side.

"Adam Voges is extremely unlucky to be omitted from the squad after having limited opportunities against Pakistan. However with the returning players and the need to get the right balance in the squad of 13, Adam has unfortunately missed out on this occasion.”

Australia squad: Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ryan Harris, James Hopes, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Marsh, Clint McKay, Shane Watson, Cameron White.