McGain departure decision delayed

Australia’s selectors are likely to wait until after the current tour match in Hyderabad before deciding whether leg-spinner Bryce McGain will see out the tour of India.

But if McGain should need to return home, there is virtually no prospect that Andrew Symonds will be his replacement.

McGain, who strained his right shoulder during the Australia A tour of India last month, was unable to bowl in Australia's tour opener last week and pulled up sore after a net session on Tuesday.

According to Cricket Australia (CA) acting chief executive Michael Brown, the 36-year-old Victorian’s prospects of making his Test debut are complicated by a tight schedule.

Veteran leg-spinner Bryce McGain's tour of India may be cut short by injury to his right shoulder

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He said the chairman of the National Selection Panel, Andrew Hilditch, who arrives in India on Friday, wants to be certain that the latest medical assessment is correct.

“If there's any possibility of Bryce being fit and able to play they want to look into that,” Brown said.

“Andrew Hilditch wants to sit down with team management and the players and he wants to see the team play in the match that’s started today.

“A decision, if any, will be made after this match but, given we play virtually four back-to-back Test matches, we're keen to make sure that Bryce knows where he sits.”

Brown said that no-one has been placed on standby, but effectively poured cold water on Andrew Symonds’ prospects of a prompt return from the wilderness.

Symonds, who was dismissed from the Australian team during the recent series against Bangladesh for going fishing and missing a team meeting, needs to pass a medical assessment before being eligible for national selection.

“That's up to the medical people," said Brown.

“From a cricket perspective we would love to have Andrew back when he's ready, but at this stage that question hasn't been asked.

“Andrew is working through what he needs to work through with the people close to him and we're supporting him in every way we can.”

Brown added that CA were continuing to work closely with the Board of Control for Cricket in India on general security issues.