Injury crisis poses first headache for Arthur

Australia to miss five players for 1st Test against New Zealand.

SYDNEY: Australia's new head coach Mickey Arthur faces a major injury crisis for next week's first Test against fierce rivals New Zealand, with five players, including three pace bowlers, out of action.

For his opening match in charge, the 43-year-old South African, the first non-Australian to be handed the job, will be missing all-rounder Shane Watson and batsman Shaun Marsh for the December 1 showdown at the Gabba in Brisbane. Also out with injury are pacemen Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris and Pat Cummins.

Harris, who returned home early from the tour to South Africa, remains sidelined by pelvis trouble and Watson has a hamstring injury which he picked up in the second Test against South Africa in Johannesburg earlier this week. Marsh has yet to return to training from the back injury he sustained in South Africa, while Johnson hurt his left foot while batting in the second innings of the second Test in South Africa.

Exciting teenage fast bowling discovery Cummins has a painful left heel and despite scans clearing him of serious injury, Cricket Australia said he is unlikely to recover in time for Brisbane.

"We unfortunately suffered some injuries during the recent Test series against South Africa," said Cricket Australia general manager Pat Howard. "With such a short turnaround time between series, five players who were involved in the series will not fully recover in time to play the first Test against New Zealand."

Australia team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said injury-prone Harris had yet to bowl after returning home.

"Harris is recovering from the pelvis injury that kept him out of the second Test against South Africa," said Kountouris. "He's making progress but has not returned to bowling as yet."

The team physio said Watson's condition will also be reviewed next week as the all-rounder said he could not risk aggravating his hamstring.

"Even playing as a batsman, I could re-injure it. It would really put my summer back in a big way if that happened," said Watson.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26^th, 2011.