Australia retain squad for third Test against West Indies
By IANSWednesday, December 9, 2009
MELBOURNE - Australia Wednesday announced an unchanged 12-member sqaud for the third Test against the West Indies beginning Dec 16 at the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) ground in Perth.
National Selection Panel (NSP) chairman Andrew Hilditch said that fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus is yet to recover completely from his injury and now will be considered for the Test series against Pakistan. He also hoped that Peter Siddle would be fit in time for the deciding match. Auustralia lead the series 1-0.
The advice from our medical staff is that Ben Hilfenhaus, while continuing to improve, is not available for selection and will now aim to be fit for the first Test against Pakistan.
Peter Siddle’s fitness will be assessed daily leading up to the match and we are hopeful he will recover in time to take his place in the side for what should be an exciting climax to the three-match Test series, Hilditch said in a statement.
On Siddle’s injury, team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said: Peter Siddle experienced some hamstring soreness during the Adelaide Test and underwent a scan Wednesday which has cleared him of any serious damage. He will continue to be treated and monitored before a final decision will be made on his availability to play.
Ben Hilfenhaus is continuing to recover from a left knee tendon injury that ruled him out of the second Test in Adelaide. He has not made sufficient progress to select him for the Perth match and he will remain in Hobart to continue his rehabilitation recovery. He will continue to be monitored by Cricket Australias medical staff before a decision is made on his availability for the first Test against Pakistan at the MCG.
The squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke (vice-captain), Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Clint McKay, Marcus North, Peter Siddle and Shane Watson
