Ashton Agar has suffered a recurrence of the calf injury that ruled him out of the ODI World Cup and looks highly unlikely to be available for Australia’s five-match T20I series against India immediately following the tournament.

Agar initially tore his calf during pre-season while training with Western Australia which ruled him out of the T20I series against South Africa in late August. He returned to play in the first ODI against South Africa in September but pulled up sore and was not able to play again before returning home for the birth of his first child.

He was later ruled out of the World Cup and replaced by Marnus Labuschagne. He was building his loads in order to possibly make a return in the Marsh Cup in November and be ready for the T20I series against India but has now suffered another setback.

“Given Agar is a nationally contracted player, WA Cricket will work closely with Cricket Australia to determine his return to play,” a WACA statement said.

When Agar was replaced in the World Cup squad selection chair George Bailey had kept the door ajar for him still playing a role, saying that if another injury occurred he could come back as a replacement player, although it’s understood his initial recovery timeline would have made that unlikely.

Agar may now face a tight timescale to be ready for the start of Perth Scorchers’ BBL tight defence which begins against Melbourne Renegades on December 10. He had a lean campaign last season with just six wickets in 10 matches.