Australia bowler James Pattinson to under go abdominal surgery

Australia have announced that fast bowler James Pattinson will have abdominal surgery on a non-cricket related problem.

The 22-year-old is expected to be a doubt for this June's ICC Champions Trophy in England, whose national team have named four uncapped players in their provisional squad.

Australia chief medical officer Justin Paoloni said: "James Pattinson will be having surgery [on Friday] for a non-cricket related medical condition in his lower abdominal region that has been troubling him during the latter part of the recently concluded tour of India."

Despite the blow, Australia are thought to be confident that Pattinson will resume training in four weeks' time and should be fit for the Ashes this summer.