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Injured Pattinson Out Of Australia A Game

JAMES PATTINSON of Nottinghamshire batting during the Specsavers County Championship Division Two match between Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, England. Picture: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

A sore back will prevent paceman James Pattinson from playing for Australia A this week.

Pattinson, an incumbent member of the Test attack, has been replaced in the Australia A squad by NSW quick Harry Conway.

Pattinson's latest setback came when he pulled up with a sore back and hips after playing grade cricket.

Cricket Australia medicos have ruled the 29-year-old out of the four-day clash between Australia A and England Lions, which starts at the MCG on Saturday.

Pattinson underwent spinal surgery in 2017 and wondered during an extended stint on the sidelines as to whether recurring back woes would bring a premature end to his international career.

The right-armer made his long-awaited international return during last year's Ashes tour.

Pattinson's enforced omission is set to result in Australia A unleashing an attack of Michael Neser, Jackson Bird, Mark Steketee and Mitchell Swepson for this week's pink-ball clash in Melbourne.

Australia A captain Moises Henriques, Marcus Harris, Usman Khawaja, Kurtis Patterson and Marcus Stoinis are some of the other notable Test hopefuls involved in the game.