Australia lose Hopes

James Hopes injured his his right hamstring during the first one-day international at Vadodara and will soon return home

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Australia have suffered another blow in their bid to win the one-day series against India with injured all-rounder James Hopes following wicketkeeper Tim Paine and paceman Brett Lee home.

Hopes damaged his right hamstring during the first ODI at Vadodara and will return to Brisbane to continue his recovery.

Lee’s elbow injury ruled him out of the series on Friday, a day after Paine broke a finger in the second match in Nagpur.

Yesterday the tourists suffered a six-wicket defeat in Delhi to go 2-1 down in the seven-match series, which continues in Mohali tomorrow.

Australia physiotherapist Kevin Sims said: "James has done everything he can with medical staff to try and make himself available for the remaining games of the tour of India.

"However, due to the compressed nature of this tour and his speed of recovery so far we feel now we have insufficient time to have James fully fit to take part in the remaining games of this series.

Brett Lee's replacement Clinton McKay will join up with Australia for the fifth ODI

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"Therefore a decision has been made that James will return to Australia where he will continue his rehabilitation from this hamstring injury."

Meanwhile, Australia have called up Victoria fast bowler Clinton McKay in place of Lee from the fifth game at Hyderabad on Thursday.

They also confirmed New South Wales all-rounder Moises Henriques, who made his debut yesterday, will remain with the squad for the remainder of the series.

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said: "With the injuries to Brett Lee and James Hopes and both of these players returning to Australia, the National Selection Panel has taken the opportunity to add another bowler to the squad in Clinton McKay.

"Clinton is a young promising bowler who performed well at interstate level last season and has recent very good form for Victoria in the Champions League in India.

"He will be very well suited to Indian conditions and we believe he is another young player who benefit from the experience of being in the Australian team set-up during this tour. We also feel he has the ability to perform well at the international level.

"With Moises having played in the last ODI game and James Hopes going home, Moises will now remain with the squad in India for the duration of the series."