Lance Morris has elected to undergo surgery after it was discovered he has developed a lumbar bone stress injury.
Morris was initially part of the Australian squad for the recent ODI series against South Africa in North Queensland. However, he experienced lower back soreness following a training session. The stress injury was found after he was sent back home to Perth for investigation.
Morris's decision to undergo surgery means there will be a minimum recovery period of 12 months, putting him out of action for Western Australia and the Perth Scorchers this summer.
In a statement, Morris made it clear that the decision prioritised securing his long-term fitness.
"I feel this is the most logical way to realise my full potential and return to my very best cricket for the Scorchers, Western Australia and Australia long into the future", said Morris.
"I plan to work hard through my recovery and return when the time is right".
It continues a string of injuries for Morris. He has had a Cricket Australia contract for three years but has only managed to play three ODIs.
In 2023, he experienced a back stress injury. Early in 2024 he suffered a side strain and a "hot-spot" was found in a scan at the end of the 2023/24 season.
At the beginning of last season Morris suffered a quad injury but still managed to feature for Western Australia (four Shield games and five one-dayers) and the Scorchers (eight games) that season.
Where does this leave Australia, Western Australia and the Scorchers?
Fox Sports claimed that Morris was expected to be the fifth quick in Australia's 2025/26 Ashes squad.
The squad is yet to be announced, however, it is reasonably safe to assume Mitch Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood (the "big-three") and Scott Boland will feature.
Fellow West Australian Jhye Richardson is gradually returning from a shoulder injury and Michael Neser indicated he still hopes to play more Test cricket last summer.
Whilst it's possible Morris could've been involved in the Ashes this summer, both Richardson and Neser have already impressed at Test level.
The decision to undergo surgery seems to bear in mind that this summer, Morris is not guaranteed a Test debut, or even selection in the squad.
With Hazlewood, Starc, Neser and Boland all in their mid-thirties, it is highly likely Morris (27 years old) will be called up to the Test team at some point beyond this summer, when he has recovered from surgery.
There is no lack of depth in the ODI squad either. Without mentioning the "big-three", Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett, Ben Dwarshuis and Sean Abbott all contributed against South Africa.
Morris' absence will certainly be felt by Western Australia and the Perth Scorchers throughout 2025/26.
The Scorchers' attack looks leaner this season without Morris, as Jason Behrendorff has moved to the Renegades.
Jhye Richardson will carry a heavier burden for Western Australia and the Scorcher's bowling attacks. If Richardson is called up to Test duties, the Western Australian domestic teams will be significantly depleted.
Morris's surgery will be conducted by New Zealand surgeon Rowen Schoten, who operated on Cameron Green last October.
