Ben Hilfenhaus suffers side injury

Gangling Australian pacer Ben Hilfenhaus is likely to miss the remainder of the ongoing first Test against Sri Lanka in Hobart after he picked up a side injury on Sunday.



The 29-year-old Tasmanian medium pacer bowled only two deliveries of his 13th over of the innings before limping off the field with a left side strain. After bowling the second ball of his 13th over to Angelo Mathews, Hilfenhaus spoke briefly to skipper Michael Clarke and left the field for treatment to his side, leaving to fellow pacer Shane Watson to complete the over.

Later he left the ground for scans and further medical examination. "Ben Hilfenhaus has some sort of left side injury, which is being investigated," a team spokesperson told media reporters. “He is going for scans to give further clarity on the injury," he added further.

Sunday's injury continued a stop-start month for the Tasmanian fast bowler, who was rested for the final Test against South Africa in Perth earlier this month to many his workload after a hectic Adelaide game against the Proteas. Later he replaced left-arm pacer Mitchell Johnson for the first of three-match series against the Sri Lankans.

Australian cricket team’s physiotherapist Alex Kountouris told media persons that the right-arm seamer was now doubtful for the Boxing Day Test against Sri Lanka in Melbourne, and might also miss the New Year’s Test in Sydney, which gets underway only three days after the end of the MCG game.

"With Ben, we'll probably know more in 24 hours. But it's probably doubtful, the fact that he's not bowling right now, you'd think there's going to be considerable doubt [for Melbourne]," Kountouris said. "It's on the milder side but not mild enough to be able to bowl in the second innings.

"…They (bowlers) are not like batsmen who in a week's time they can get back and play. Bowlers need to come back, bowl a few times, prove that they're fit,” the team physio went on to add.

The Aussies currently hold a commanding position in the series opener with an overall lead of 141 runs. After having bowled out the Lankan Lions for 336 in reply to Australia’s first innings total of 450, the hosts were 27 without loss in their second innings at stumps on day three on Sunday.