Bracken out of Champions Trophy with knee injury
Friday, 25 September 2009
MELBOURNE, SEPT 24 (AP): Australia fast bowler Nathan Bracken has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy in South Africa due to a right knee injury.
Team officials Thursday said medical staff had determined Bracken could not continue playing, and that he will consult a knee specialist when he returns to Sydney.
"The nature of Nathan's right knee problem has meant that he has had some ongoing manageable pain, but this has now reached a point where he is unable to continue playing in the ICC Champions Trophy," team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said. A decision on a replacement player for Bracken will need to be confirmed by the ICC's technical committee before being announced, Cricket Australia said.
Australia begins its defense of the limited-overs Champions Trophy when it plays Saturday against the West Indies at Johannesburg.
Bracken, 32, had mixed success in Australia's recent seven-match ODI series in England, claiming seven wickets at an average of 35.14 in six appearances. An economical line and length bowler, Bracken has played in 116 limited-overs matches, taking 174 wickets at an average of 24.36, including two five-wicket hauls.
Team officials Thursday said medical staff had determined Bracken could not continue playing, and that he will consult a knee specialist when he returns to Sydney.
"The nature of Nathan's right knee problem has meant that he has had some ongoing manageable pain, but this has now reached a point where he is unable to continue playing in the ICC Champions Trophy," team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said. A decision on a replacement player for Bracken will need to be confirmed by the ICC's technical committee before being announced, Cricket Australia said.
Australia begins its defense of the limited-overs Champions Trophy when it plays Saturday against the West Indies at Johannesburg.
Bracken, 32, had mixed success in Australia's recent seven-match ODI series in England, claiming seven wickets at an average of 35.14 in six appearances. An economical line and length bowler, Bracken has played in 116 limited-overs matches, taking 174 wickets at an average of 24.36, including two five-wicket hauls.