LONDON: Australia captain Michael Clarke said it was “very disappointing” that Pat Cummins had been ruled out of the rest of the tour of England after Australia lost the second one-dayer in his absence by six wickets.

Shortly before Sunday's match here at The Oval got underway, Cummins was withdrawn after suffering a side strain in Friday's 15-run defeat at Lord's.

“Pat sustained an abdominal muscle strain on his left side during the first ODI at Lord's,” Australia team doctor John Orchard said in a statement.

“Whilst he was able to complete his 10 overs, he was sore after the game and was scanned, the results of which have revealed a medium grade side-strain.

“This will keep him out of the remainder of the England tour.

“His return to cricket will be decided in due course, based on follow-up examinations in Australia.”

Clarke, speaking after a loss on Sunday that left Australia 2-0 down in the five-match series, said of Cummins: He's obviously very disappointed. I don't know how severe it is, but obviously he's going home.

“He flies home tomorrow but I think there's a bit of precaution there as well; we want to make sure we look after him.”

Australia had hoped that during this series several young bowlers, including Cummins, would enjoy a valuable first taste of British conditions ahead of next year's Ashes series in England and Clarke added, “It's a big loss, not only for the team, but for him as well.

“He was looking forward to spending some time in England and getting some cricket under his belt, so it's frustrating.”

Australia's National Selection Panel no replacement bowler would join the squad, as there are sufficient fast-bowlers available for selection in the tour party already.

Left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson, Cummins's replacement at The Oval, took an expensive two for 43 in seven overs on Sunday, including four no-balls.

“Mitch has been bowling very well in the nets,” said Clarke. “He's got good pace and he's left-armed so he brings something different.

“He's been high on confidence; he's been bowling really well in the nets. It's his first game back so it's going to take a bit of time. It is great to have him back around the group.”

This was the second time in a matter of months that Cummins' fledgling international career had been interrupted by injury, with this tour his first for Australia since a foot problem cut short his time in South Africa after he took seven wickets on Test debut in Johannesburg in November.