Australia’s depleted fast-bowling stocks have taken another blow with Ben Hilfenhaus off for scans on a side injury after breaking down at Bellerive.

Hilfenhaus was unable to complete his fourth over on the morning of day three of the first Test against Sri Lanka after two balls.

He clutched his left side during his follow-through and immediately left the field.

Cricket Australia confirmed he had suffered a side injury and had left Bellerive for scans.

Hilfenhaus has figures of 1-30 from 12.2 overs after claiming the wicket of Dimuth Karunaratne on Saturday for 14.

Australia’s fast bowling stocks are already in serious trouble with James Pattinson (side), Patrick Cummins (back), Josh Hazlewood (foot), Ryan Harris (shoulder) and John Hastings (back) all in the casualty ward.

Pattinson was ruled out for the Test season after suffering his injury during the second Test against South Africa in Adelaide.

Teenager Cummins is now aiming to recover from stress fractures to his back in time for the mid-year Ashes tour.

Hazlewood faces another month out with a foot problem, while Harris has put off his scheduled Big Bash League return and hopes to next play when Queensland’s campaigns resume in late January.