Mitchell Swepson suffers rare neck injury; set to be on sidelines for extended period

After being left out of Queensland's Sheffield Shield and Marsh Cup squads after complaining of neck pain, which he had developed in the back end of the BBL season, Mitchell Swepson was immediately taken for scans. The report stated that he had a stress fracture in the C6 vertebrae which is certainly not a common injury with spinners for instance.

According to Martin Love, former Australia Test batsman and now Queensland's Sport Science and Medicine Manager, the injury was extremely rare and would require a very cautious approach in terms of treatment and recovery. Subsequently, Swepson has now been ruled out of the remainder of the season.

"It is certainly not a common injury with spinners for instance, and so while Australian Cricket has a great deal of information about managing stress fractures in fast bowlers, it is not quite as clear cut in Mitch's case,'' Love said.

"We will work closely with Mitch and Cricket Australia to manage his recovery. We are encouraged by the successful returns of many bowlers who have had to deal with back stress fractures during their careers so hopefully, this case proves relatively straightforward."

Swepson played a big part in Queensland's Sheffield Shield campaign this year, having picked 23 wickets in three games, including three five-wicket hauls to put Queensland on top of the table. Thus, understandably, he has been left disappointed by the injury but has hoped to get back in reckoning for the back end of the tournament.

"I'm obviously extremely disappointed that I can't be out there playing for Queensland right now but I'm trying to remain positive and will be doing everything that I can to get some games in towards the end of the season," he said.