Bollinger, Hussey to return home

Bollinger, who had suffered an abdominal strain on the final day of the first Test in Mohali and did not play in the Bangalore Test and the second ODI in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, has been advised further rehabilitation back home by Australia’s physio Kevin Sims.

“Bollinger reported some minor discomfort to his abdomen. We do not think that the new issue is serious. However it will prevent him from being available for selection in the third one-day match at Goa. Therefore we have decided that it is in his best interest to return to Australia for further assessment,” Sims was quoted as saying in a release from Cricket Australia.

Hussey, who scored 69 in the Visakhapatnam one-dayer, will fly back home to play for Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia. Hussey’s absence is sure to further weaken Australia’s shaky middle-order, but with the Ashes in mind, the visitors have decided to have the left-hander rather play in the longer-version of the game.

“As part of the ongoing individual work load management ahead of the Australian summer and the ICC Cricket World Cup in the sub-continent, Hussey will not play in the third one-day game in India and will return home,” said Andrew Hilditch, Australia’s chairman of selectors.