Kabir to miss rest of the season

Ali is sidelined for the rest of the season

Worcestershire's bowler Kabir Ali has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a back injury.

Kabir underwent a second scan this week on the injury that caused him problems during the recent Championship match against Essex at Colchester.

Worcestershire's director of cricket Steve Rhodes has told BBC Hereford and Worcester the injury is not career-threatening.

Medical advice is that to continue playing could aggravate the problem.

Ali is the joint-leading wicket taker in first-class cricket this season with 59 victims at an average of 18.74 as Worcestershire have set the pace in the second division of the County Championship.

Hampshire's James Tomlinson is also on the 59-wicket mark, but has played three games more than Ali.

This news comes as another blow to the New Road club who are already without another England bowler - Simon Jones - for the remainder of the summer, while Matt Mason is also currently sidelined due to an arm injury.