Allrounder out as Australia suffer more hamstring problems

Hopes gone for Twenty20

Cricinfo staff

October 19, 2007

James Hopes had a productive one-day series with bat and ball © Getty Images

James Hopes has become the fourth Australian to suffer a hamstring injury during the tours of South Africa and India and will miss the Twenty20 match in Mumbai on Saturday. Hopes, the allrounder, was hurt during the final game of the one-day series on Wednesday after appearing in each contest as a replacement for Shane Watson, who fell to the same problem during the World Twenty20.

Michael Hussey also left that tour with a serious tear while Ricky Ponting was able to recover from his strain in time to play a part in India. Hussey hopes to be fully fit for the first Test next month while Watson will aim to make Queensland's side for the tour match against Sri Lanka starting in Brisbane on November 2.

Hopes' injury provided him with a sad end to a satisfying tour. Batting at No. 7, he collected 136 runs at more than one a ball and picked up six wickets with his medium pace. Hopes, who had played only nine ODI games before the tour, gave up 4.6 runs an over while bowling and his list of victims included Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly.

Matthew Hayden is Australia's other injury concern after missing the past two matches with a hip complaint. He batted in the nets on Thursday and will be closely monitored in the lead-up to the final fixture of the tour.

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