Australia fast bowlers are doubts for India match

AUSTRALIA fast bowlers Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson are doubts for the second one-day international against India, after suffering apparently minor injuries in the opening victory over the hosts.

Strike bowler Lee bowled only six of his 10-over entitlement as Australia scraped to a four-run win in Vadodara on Sunday.

After a scan on his sore elbow, Lee – like Johnson, who has an ankle problem – will be reassessed before Australia decide on his fitness to face India in the second instalment of the seven-match series in Nagpur.

Allrounder James Hopes also had a scan on a hamstring strain and will be unavailable for the match tomorrow but is expected to return later in the series. Australia physiotherapist Kevin Sims said: “Brett Lee has a mild right-elbow strain and will continue to be treated and assessed before the next game. Mitchell Johnson suffered an inversion strain of his left ankle.

“He will now receive treatment – and as with Brett, it will depend on how he responds to treatment over the next two days before a decision is made on his availability for the second game of the series.”

Opening batsman Scott Newman has crossed the Thames to join Middlesex from Surrey on a three-year contract. Surrey announced that the 29-year-old left-hander was leaving The Oval after nine years with his native county.