With Tim Paine ruled out due to a broken finger, Australia on Thursday included rookie wicketkeeper Graham Manou in their squad for the remaining five matches of the ongoing seven-ODI cricket series against India.
With Tim Paine ruled out due to a broken finger, Australia on Thursday included rookie wicketkeeper Graham Manou in their squad for the remaining five matches of the ongoing seven-ODI cricket series against India.
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"Cricket Australia's National Selection Panel today announced South Australian captain Graham Manou as the replacement on the VB Tour of India for Tim Paine," CA said in a statement.
The 30-year-old Manou's ODI debut, set for October 31 in New Delhi, is a result of Paine fracturing his right hand ring finger during Wednesday's second one-dayer against India in Nagpur which Australia lost by 99 runs.
"Tim Paine has a fractured finger from the game last night and is unable to take any further part in the series. He will return to Australia as soon as the replacement arrives in India," NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch said.
"Graham Manou is travelling to India tonight and will be available for selection for the next game," he added.
Manou made his Test debut during the Ashes series against England this summer. Hilditch said Manou has been rewarded for his consistent performance in the domestic circuit.
"Graham richly deserves this opportunity following his Ashes debut and his successful domestic season last year in all forms of the game," Hilditch said.
The Australians are already an injury-hit side with pace spearhead and all-rounder James Hopes sitting out of Wednesday's match due to injuries.
On the fitness status of regular wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who is also nursing a broken ring finger, Hilditch said he wouldn't be rushed back and would play domestic cricket before returning to the international circuit.
"After extensive discussions with Cricket Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris and Brad Haddin it was considered it is premature for Brad to resume cricket for Australia, having not played first-class cricket since the Oval Ashes Test.
"It is expected Brad will make a return to first class cricket this weekend as the first stage of his preparation for a return to cricket for Australia," he said.
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