Monday 16 October 2017 17:08, UK
Essex's Jamie Porter has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his back and will miss the England Lions camp in Australia.
Porter, who was named the Specsavers County Championship player of the season after taking 75 wickets in Essex's triumphant campaign, was diagnosed with the injury during profiling ahead of the Lions' winter programme.
His place in the Lions training camp in Australia in November and December will be taken by Worcestershire's Josh Tongue.
National selector James Whitaker said: "While it was initially surprising and disappointing for Jamie and for us to discover he has a stress fracture, we have agreed with him and with Essex that this new approach is the best option."
Porter will now join the Pace Programme later this month, with a view to building up to Lions selection for the series against West Indies A in the new year.
"Spending the first half of the winter on the Pace Programme will allow him to take a break from competitive cricket after two excellent and demanding seasons for Essex, allowing the injury to recover, and for a focus on his rehabilitation," said Whitaker.
Porter's replacement, Tongue, was an ever-present in Worcestershire's promotion-winning campaign in Division Two, and also took more than 50 First Class wickets.
"He [Tongue] is another exciting young fast bowler and we believe he will benefit from the chance to work with the Lions and to spend some time in Australia in an Ashes winter," said Whitaker.
