Hilfenhaus can now press his claims for Ashes squad return

SYDNEY - Fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus, who has been out of contention due to a lingering knee tendon injury, can now press his claims for the Ashes series by playing for Australia A in July.

Hilfenhaus will return from injury for Australia A next month in an audition for the two-Test series against Pakistan in July.

Hilfenhaus was named in the A-team for two four-day matches against Sri Lanka A in Queensland in an ideal Test warm-up.

He was cleared for a return from a lingering knee tendon injury, but fellow pacer Peter Siddle remains sidelined due to stress fractures of the back and must target a return just before the Ashes.

Australian physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said Hilfenhaus was on track after training at the Centre of Excellence in Brisbane in the past week, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

“So far he has coped well and if his progress continues with an increasing bowling workload over the coming weeks, he’ll take his place for Australia A against Sri Lanka A in preparation for possible selection in the Test squad,” Kountouris said.

Kountouris also said that Brett Lee was still recovering from the elbow injury he sustained at the World Twenty20 championship in the Caribbean. (ANI)