Injury setback for Coulter-Nile

A flare up of an old back problem is likely to rule Nathan Coulter-Nile out of the upcoming Ashes series.

The 30-year old Australia quick has a history of spinal stress fractures, and was enjoying a rare extended run of good health until the latest injury.

It's a big blow for the fast bowler who was being talked up as a back-up to Australia's pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins against England. The five-Test Ashes series starts on November 23.

Coulter-Nile complained of significant soreness after the conclusion of the two-day tour game between Western Australia XI and England, and scans later confirmed the issue was serious.

"Nathan experienced some pain in his back following the two-day tour match against England last week," revealed Alex Kountouris, Cricket Australia's sports medicine manager, on Friday.

"Subsequent scans have revealed an early stage aggravation of his old stress fracture.

"Whilst this is a setback, the good news is that it has been picked up early so we are only considering a short break from bowling while we monitor him."

Coulter-Nile has yet to play a Test, but has appeared in 21 One-Day Internationals and 19 Twenty20 Internationals for Australia.

He was the pick of the Australian bowlers on their recent limited-overs tour of India, where he played every match.

"We expect he will have further scans over the next month which will determine when he can return to bowling," said Kountouris.