After Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson, Mike Hussey became the third Australian to break down with a hamstring injury which makes him doubtful for the tour of India.
MELBOURNE: After Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson, Mike Hussey became the third Australian to break down with a hamstring injury which makes him doubtful for the tour of India later this month.
Hussey picked up the injury during Australia's semifinal loss to India in the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa.
In the previous two matches, it was Ponting and then Watson who picked up injuries. Ponting, however, has been given the green signal for the India tour even though the Australian captain is certain to miss the initial games of the seven-match series.
Watson, however, has been altogether ruled out of the series.
A report quoted team physio Alex Kountouris as saying that even the duo of Brad Hodge and Brad Haddin came close to being rendered hamstrung.
"They're hanging by a thread," Kountouris said, adding Hodge would have been doubtful had Australia reached the final of the Twenty20 World Cup.
"It may have been interesting if we were playing in two days time but (Hodge) will be right in a week, he's just hanging in there. It's just sore and tight so I think it will be fine (for India)."
Kountouris blamed hectic schedule, travelling and high-intensity for the players' breakdown.
"Our data showed it's about 70 per cent (intensity) of a one-day game even though at 20 overs it's only 40 per cent of the game time.
"I think the injuries were a combination of a lot of things - bad luck, early season, fatigue at the end of the tournament, having guys in their 30s," he said.
"I think the soft ground, particularly in Cape Town where we spent most of our time, was one big factor. It wasn't the ideal sort of planning as well, having to travel two hours every day between games, it's not what 30-year-olds need."
"I'm just dubious because two of the guys have never strained their hamstrings before and they've got significant injuries both Ricky and Mike Hussey," Kountouris added.
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