Johannesburg : Australian paceman Peter Siddle has been sidelined due to a stress fracture in his back.
The 31-year-old experienced a back pain during the opening Test against New Zealand after which he was ruled of the second Test.
Confirming the news, team physiotherapist David Beakley said that Siddle had undergone scan after the Wellington Test which revealed a stress fracture in his lower back, Sport24 reported.
He added that the paceman would now require a significant amount of time to undergo a rehabilitation process.
Last month, pace spearhead Mitchell Starc also underwent surgery for his long-term ankle problem.
Siddle has made 61 Test appearances for Australia and bagged 208 wickets at an average of 29.88. (ANI)