McGain's tour in doubt

But if leg-spinner goes home, Symonds has virtually no chance of call up

Last updated: 2nd October 2008  

McGain's tour in doubt

McGain: Tour doubt

Related links

Teams

Also see

A decision on whether Bryce McGain will see out Australia's tour of India will be made after the current match in Hyderabad.

The 36-year-old leg spinner is struggling after straining his right shoulder during the Australia A tour of India last month.

He was unable to bowl in the tour opener last week and then pulled up sore after a net session on Tuesday.

Chairman of the National Selection Panel, Andrew Hilditch, who arrives in India on Friday, now wants to assess the situation before any decision is made.

Cricket Australia (CA) acting chief executive Michael Brown said: "If there's any possibility of Bryce being fit and able to play they want to look into that.

Sit down

"Andrew Hilditch wants to sit down with team management and the players and he wants to see the team play in the match that's started today.

"A decision, if any, will be made after this match but, given we play virtually four back-to-back Test matches, we're keen to make sure that Bryce knows where he sits."

McGain's injury means off-spinner Jason Krejza looks poised to make his debut for Australia in the first Test on 9th October.

But if he should need to return home, there is virtually no prospect that Andrew Symonds will replace him.

Brown said that no-one has been placed on standby, while Symonds, who was dismissed from the Australian team during the recent series against Bangladesh for going fishing and missing a team meeting, needs to pass a medical assessment before being eligible for national selection.

"That's up to the medical people," said Brown.

Cricket perspective

"From a cricket perspective we would love to have Andrew back when he's ready, but at this stage that question hasn't been asked.

"Andrew is working through what he needs to work through with the people close to him and we're supporting him in every way we can."

Brown added that CA were continuing to work closely with the Board of Control for Cricket in India on general security issues.