Australian fast bowler James Pattinson has been sidelined from the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after injuring himself in a fall at his property. The penultimate match of the series starts on January 7 (Thursday) at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Meanwhile, Pattinson was on approved leave after the end of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It was then he fell at his home and suffered bruised ribs. The tall and lanky fast bowler is yet to get some game time in the ongoing four-match series amid the presence of high-profile fast bowlers – Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood.
James Pattinson ruled out of 3rd Test
With fast bowlers Michael Neser and Sean Abbott also with the squad, Cricket Australia will not call any replacement for James Pattinson. The governing body will assess the fast bowler to get him ready for the final Test of the series in Brisbane.
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This will not be a blow to the host who is likely to stick with their incumbent pace attack. However, they have difficult decisions to make on their openers after Joe Burns was left out of the squad for the 3rd encounter. David Warner and Will Pucovski have been recalled to the squad following a groin injury and a concussion respectively. Warner had a few good sessions in the net and is likely to pair up with Matthew Wade at the top of the order in Sydney.
Meanwhile, players from both teams have tested negative for coronavirus before traveling to Sydney earlier today. Five Team India cricketers were put into isolation after they reported breached the bio-bubble but they tested negative and have traveled with the squad.
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Australia Test squad: Tim Paine (c), Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner
