Cricket: Oz weakened further as Coulter-Nile misses ODIs

David Warner is out with a broken thumb. Photo / AP

Australia's injury crisis has deepened with Nathan Coulter-Nile joining teammates David Warner and Shane Watson in being ruled out for the remainder of Australia's one-day series with England.

All three players suffered the injuries in Sunday's game-two victory over England at Lord's, with paceman Coulter-Nile suffering a low-grade hamstring strain.

He is expected to be bowling again within two weeks, but that won't allow him time to recover for any of the remaining three ODIs to be played in the next seven days.

The West Australian was flying back to Australia overnight, with opener Warner, who will miss between four and six weeks with a broken thumb, which will impact on Australia's test series against Bangladesh next month. Watson flew out of London yesterday having suffered a recurrence of a calf injury, which prompted him to also announce his test retirement.

With his squad ravaged by injuries, coach Darren Lehmann called on a trio of Victorians as replacements.

Twenty20 captain Aaron Finch, veteran fast bowler John Hastings and wicketkeeper batsman Peter Handscomb have all been pulled from their county sides to be available for selection for game three in Manchester starting late tonight.

The triple blow to Lehmann and captain Steve Smith is a major setback in the world champions' quest to seal the best-of-five series, which they currently lead 2-0.

Finch is expected to slot straight into the opening spot vacated by Warner, with Victorian quick James Pattinson heavily favoured to join a pace attack led by speedsters Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins.

Warner admits it is "highly unlikely" he will feature in Australia's two-test tour of Bangladesh. The explosive left-hander gave fans the worst possible news when saying he doesn't expect to be able to pick up a bat for six weeks. It's a revelation that could leave Australia fielding one of their most inexperienced teams of the modern era. Cricket Australia is yet to formally rule Warner out of the tour.

However, Australia will already be without retired trio Michael Clarke, Chris Rogers and Watson when the two teams meet on October 9 in the opening test in Chittagong. Veteran wicketkeeper Brad Haddin will also not feature in Bangladesh, having been overtaken by rookie Peter Nevill during the Ashes though he is yet to formally announce his retirement.

- AAP