Darren Lehmann to miss India tour

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October 15, 2003 10:53 IST

Injuries have forced world champions Australia to select a weakened squad for next month's triangular limited-overs tournament with New Zealand and hosts India.

Middle-order batsman Darren Lehmann was ordered to miss the tournament because of an ankle problem while fast bowler Jason Gillespie remains in doubt because of a muscle tear.

Brad Williams has already been placed on standby for Gillespie, who needs to pass a fitness test before being included.

Nathan Bracken, who replaced an injured Gillespie at the World Cup, was recalled after paceman Glenn McGrath was ruled out last week. Michael Clarke replaced Lehmann in the 14-man squad.

Lehmann is expected to play in the second test against Zimbabwe starting on Friday but Australia's chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said they do not want to risk aggravating the injury by sending him a on a tour of India.

"We have accepted the view that the demands placed on the body are sufficiently different in a one-off test match compared to the intensity of a one-day tournament," Hohns said in a statement.

"The Cricket Australia medical team believes that although Darren might be able to get through this test match, he will not be able to endure the rigors of a one-day tournament without suffering further damage."

The Australians will leave for India on October 22.

The tournament will be held from October 23 to November 18.

Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Michael Bevan, Andy Bichel, Nathan Bracken, Michael Clarke, Ian Harvey, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Jimmy Maher, Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds, Jason Gillespie (subject to fitness)

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