Australia's injury-hit bowling attack will be without Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson as well as James Hopes on Wednesday after the pair was ruled out of the second ODI in Nagpur. Lee picked up a right elbow strain in Sunday's opening win and Johnson hurt his left ankle, while Hopes limped off with a hamstring problem.
Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, said even though Lee and Johnson were improving they would not be ready for the second game of the seven-match series. Moises Henriques, the New South Wales allrounder, will fly back to India a couple of days after returning to Australia following his side's win in the Champions League Twenty20. Henriques will be on standby until the fourth fixture and will join the team in Delhi on Thursday.
"With James Hopes' right hamstring injury being more serious and likely to keep him out for at least the next two matches it is thought adding a standby player to the squad is a necessity," Hilditch said. "Given the most significant injury appears to be Hopes' hamstring we have taken this opportunity to add Moises to the squad until the completion of game four in Mohali, where we will again assess the situation before it is decided if he remains with the squad."
Henriques was in a similar position during Australia's series with Bangladesh last year and he played a Twenty20 against New Zealand in February. Stuart Clark, a New South Wales team-mate, predicted correctly at the weekend that Henriques, who was a strong Champions League performer, would be an Australian player as soon as a spot was available.
Hilditch was also impressed by Henriques' work in India and during Australia A's winter series against Pakistan A. "We view him as an exciting young allrounder who will be looking to make the most of this opportunity in India," he said.
The injuries are a further blow to Australia's patched up line-up, which is in the middle of a gruelling schedule. Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Callum Ferguson and Nathan Bracken were unavailable for this tour.
Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, said even though Lee and Johnson were improving they would not be ready for the second game of the seven-match series. Moises Henriques, the New South Wales allrounder, will fly back to India a couple of days after returning to Australia following his side's win in the Champions League Twenty20. Henriques will be on standby until the fourth fixture and will join the team in Delhi on Thursday.
"With James Hopes' right hamstring injury being more serious and likely to keep him out for at least the next two matches it is thought adding a standby player to the squad is a necessity," Hilditch said. "Given the most significant injury appears to be Hopes' hamstring we have taken this opportunity to add Moises to the squad until the completion of game four in Mohali, where we will again assess the situation before it is decided if he remains with the squad."
Henriques was in a similar position during Australia's series with Bangladesh last year and he played a Twenty20 against New Zealand in February. Stuart Clark, a New South Wales team-mate, predicted correctly at the weekend that Henriques, who was a strong Champions League performer, would be an Australian player as soon as a spot was available.
Hilditch was also impressed by Henriques' work in India and during Australia A's winter series against Pakistan A. "We view him as an exciting young allrounder who will be looking to make the most of this opportunity in India," he said.
The injuries are a further blow to Australia's patched up line-up, which is in the middle of a gruelling schedule. Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Callum Ferguson and Nathan Bracken were unavailable for this tour.
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