Back injury ends Matthew Kuhnemann's Durham stint

Matthew Kuhnemann, Durham's Australian left-arm spinner, will miss the remainder of his County Championship stint with the club because of a back injury.

Durham confirmed on Saturday that Kuhnemann would return home after scans revealed "a significant injury that requires an extended period of rehabilitation", which he will undertake with Queensland Cricket.

Kuhnemann left the field with back stiffness during Durham's Division Two match with Glamorgan last week, in just the third round of the LV= Insurance Championship.

Marcus North, his fellow Australian and Durham's Director of Cricket, said: "We are all extremely disappointed for Matt who in just a short time with the club has made a great impact on and off the field. We wish Matt well in his recovery."

Kuhnemann had already taken 12 wickets in the competition at 22.58, including 5 for 53 against Worcestershire a fortnight ago. He has played three Tests and four ODIs for Australia since making his international debut last June and was recruited by Durham after a planned deal fell through with compatriot Todd Murphy, whose workload is being managed ahead of his anticipated involvement with the Ashes squad.

Legspinner Matt Parkinson joined Durham from Lancashire on a two-week loan deal last week, ahead of their current match against Derbyshire, while Kuhnemann's injury continued to be assessed. Parkinson had featured in just one of Lancashire's three Championship fixtures previously this season and, after talks with Lancashire, it was agreed his move to Durham would maximise his playing opportunities.

Parkinson, who has played 12 times for England across formats, was surplus to international requirements this winter and overlooked in the Hundred draft.