Hilfenhaus to miss second Test

McKay called up as paceman struggles with knee injury

Last updated: 30th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Hilfenhaus to miss second Test

Hilfenhaus: Knee injury

The demands of Test cricket and the subsequent increased workload have made it harder to manage Ben's injury, so it's been decided that the best course of action is for him to miss the Adelaide Test.

Alex Kountouris
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Australia paceman Ben Hilfenhaus will miss the second Test against the West Indies after failing to shake off a knee injury.

Selectors have instead called up Victorian fast bowler Clinton McKay in the 12-man squad for the Test, which starts in Adelaide on Thursday.

The setback comes after Hilfenhaus marked his first Test on home soil with match figures of 5-70 as Australia powered to victory inside three days at the Gabba last week.

It is not yet certain whether he will be able to return for the third Test in Perth from December 16.

"Ben Hilfenhaus has had a widely-reported knee tendon injury that was sore during the recent ODI series in India and the first 3 mobile Test at the Gabba," said Australian team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris.

"The demands of Test cricket and the subsequent increased workload have made it harder to manage Ben's injury, so it's been decided that the best course of action is for him to miss the Adelaide Test.

"He will undergo an intense period of rehabilitation over the next two weeks with a view to him being available for selection for the third 3 mobile Test in Perth."

Opportunity

While expressing disappointment at the news, chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch was pleased to be able to call up McKay after his performances in Australia's limited-overs tour of India.

"The injury to Ben Hilfenhaus is very disappointing following his outstanding Ashes and his man-of-the-match performance in Brisbane, but hopefully with treatment he will be fit to be considered for selection for the third 3 mobile Test in Perth," said Hilditch.

"It does provide an opportunity for Clint McKay to join the Australia squad for the second 3 mobile Test.

"Clint impressed all with his performances in India with the one-day squad and with his bowling for Victoria in the Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield this year.

"We also feel his style of bowling will be well-suited to the conditions in Adelaide should he be selected in the starting 11."

Australia squad: Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin (wkt), Nathan Hauritz, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Clint McKay, Marcus North, Peter Siddle, Shane Watson

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