Hartley, 25, played in all five Tests on England’s tour of India in January-March last year, claiming 22 wickets at 36.13 for 7 for 62 on his second innings debut in Hyderabad.
However, he has not been called up since offspinner Shoaib Bashir emerged as England’s preferred option. Hartley was called up to England’s T20 World Cup squad in June, but did not feature in the team’s run to the semi-finals.
His injury is a blow to hopes of his Test withdrawal, especially as England’s senior team returns to Australia in October for the 2025-26 Ashes. Both he and Bashir were selected for the Lions tour, which will feature three red-ball matches, including an unofficial Test against Australia A in Sydney from January 30-February 2.
Hartley will now return to the UK, where he will undergo further assessment by the Lancashire medical team. No substitutes have been called into the squad.
The tour, overseen by Lions head coach Andrew Flintoff, will begin on January 14 with a four-day match against the Cricket Australia Select XI in Brisbane.
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