Katich in doubt for SCG Test
01/02/2010 05:00:00 AM
Phillip Hughes will once again join the Australian squad as cover for opener Simon Katich who continues to struggle with an elbow injury.
Hughes will fly from Melbourne to Sydney to join up with the squad ahead of the second Test against Pakistan which gets underway at the SCG on Sunday.
"The NSP (national selection panel) has taken the opportunity to add Phillip Hughes to the Australian squad as cover for Simon Katich, who is struggling from the injury to his arm sustained during the Test at the MCG," said Chairman of Selectors Andrew Hilditch.
"A decision on the final make up of the Test team will be taken in the morning."
Katich injured the elbow in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG when he was struck by a delivery from young firebrand Mohammad Aamer, in an incident similar to the one that caused Ricky Ponting discomfort.
"Simon Katich sustained a similar injury to Ricky Ponting when he was struck on the right elbow during the second innings of the first Test at the MCG," said Australian physiotherapist, Alex Kountouris.
"While he has made some improvement since the end of that game he's still having difficulty batting. As such we'll have a final assessment of his batting tomorrow morning."