Lee, Symonds to miss final Test
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Australia's Brett Lee and Andrew Symonds will miss the third Test against South Africa in Sydney starting on 3 January because of injuries, reports BBC.
Lee (foot) and Symonds (knee) are joined on the sidelines by MCG 12th man Shane Watson, who faces a long-term lay-off with stress fractures.
"Brett and Shane may be out for a while and Symonds will undergo knee surgery," said chief selector Andrew Hilditch.
Doug Bollinger, Ben Hilfenhaus and Andrew McDonald have been called up.
"Doug and Ben are both having exceptional Sheffield Shield seasons and their ability to move the ball will add depth to the bowling attack, albeit that they have big shoes to fill in those of Brett Lee," said Hilditch.
"Andrew has been a very consistent all-rounder for Victoria for several seasons. He is in very good form and as well as batting in the top six will give us the flexibility we need with our bowling attack."
Former Australia captain Ian Chappell believes the selectors made a mistake in retaining veteran opener Matthew Hayden, who has made only 47 runs in four innings in the series.
"If you take your mind back to 2005 he was trying to bully the bowling early in the Ashes series and was having no success. In the last Test he pulled himself back a little bit and he got a hundred.
Lee (foot) and Symonds (knee) are joined on the sidelines by MCG 12th man Shane Watson, who faces a long-term lay-off with stress fractures.
"Brett and Shane may be out for a while and Symonds will undergo knee surgery," said chief selector Andrew Hilditch.
Doug Bollinger, Ben Hilfenhaus and Andrew McDonald have been called up.
"Doug and Ben are both having exceptional Sheffield Shield seasons and their ability to move the ball will add depth to the bowling attack, albeit that they have big shoes to fill in those of Brett Lee," said Hilditch.
"Andrew has been a very consistent all-rounder for Victoria for several seasons. He is in very good form and as well as batting in the top six will give us the flexibility we need with our bowling attack."
Former Australia captain Ian Chappell believes the selectors made a mistake in retaining veteran opener Matthew Hayden, who has made only 47 runs in four innings in the series.
"If you take your mind back to 2005 he was trying to bully the bowling early in the Ashes series and was having no success. In the last Test he pulled himself back a little bit and he got a hundred.