Injury puts Bracken out

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January 07, 2004 11:50 IST

Australia's fast bowling stocks suffered another blow on Wednesday when left-armer Nathan Bracken was ruled out of Friday's opening triangular series one-dayer against India because of a hip injury.

Bracken, 26, strained a muscle in his left hip while fielding during the drawn fourth Test against India which finished in Sydney on Tuesday, Cricket Australia (CA) announced in a statement.

Western Australia paceman Brad Williams, who was 12th man in the Sydney Test, will replace Bracken in Australia's 13-man squad for their opening four matches of the one-day series.

World champions Australia host beaten World Cup finalists India in Melbourne on Friday in the first match of the triangular series.

Australia will play Zimbabwe in Sydney on Sunday.

Australia physiotherapist Errol Alcott said: "It is not a major injury and we are confident that he will improve quickly.

"It is fair to say that he bowled through pain in Sydney," added Alcott of Bracken, who took 0-97 from 37 overs in India's first innings of 705-7 declared.

Bracken said: "Obviously I am disappointed ... I am hopeful that the injury can heal quickly."

The New South Wales bowler has taken 28 wickets at 19.71 in 17 one-day internationals and has also played three tests.

Pacemen Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie missed part of the four-match Test series against India because of ankle and groin injuries respectively while leading fast bowler Glenn McGrath did not play in the series because of ankle surgery.

Australia are also without leading wicket-taker Shane Warne after the leg spinner was handed a 12-month doping ban in February 2003.

The team:

Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Michael Bevan, Andrew Bichel, Brad Williams, Michael Clarke, Jason Gillespie, Ian Harvey, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds.

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