Australia vs India: James Pattinson ruled out of SCG Test after fall at home

Australia have suffered yet another injury blow with their fast-bowler James Pattinson out of the upcoming third Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The penultimate match of the four-match series is scheduled to be played from January 7. Pattinson has been sidelined after he injured his ribs in a fall at his home.

The right-arm pacer sustained the injury while on “approved leave” from the team’s hub in Melbourne following the Boxing Day Test, which India won by 8 wickets. Pattinson has not played in the series so far and was not in contention for the upcoming Test too. But the injury might have jeopardised his chances of playing the fourth and final Test.

According to cricket.com.au, Australia have decided against naming a replacement for Pattinson in their 18-man squad. They already have two pacers – Michael Neser and Sean Abbott – as backups. The hosts are likely to play the game with their three-pronged pace attack and one spinner. Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood form the pace attack while Nathan Lyon is set to be the only specialist spinner in the team.

Series locked at 1-1

The four-match series is set for a grand finish after both the teams opened their accounts in the first two games. Australia won the series-opener by eight wickets in Adelaide after bowling out India for just 36 in the second innings. Set a target of 90, the home side chased down the total without any trouble whatsoever.

India then bounced back in style and defied all the odds to win the second Test by eight wickets to draw level in the series. Despite missing some key players like Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami, the visitors put up a dominating display with both bat and ball. The caravan now moves to Sydney. Both teams will be arriving in Sydney on Monday to play the New Year’s Test.

Australia Test squad: Tim Paine (c), Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner.