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Michael Hussey been ruled out of Australia’s upcoming tour of India after becoming the third victim of a hamstring injury.
Left-hander Hussey broke down during Australia's loss to India in the semi-final of the ICC World Twenty20 on Saturday, joining captain Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson on the sidelines.
Hussey will remain in South Africa for a further two days to receive treatment before returning home to Australia to continue rehabilitation.
Brad Haddin and Adam Voges have also been called into the squad as replacements for Hussey and Ponting.
Watson's place on the tour will be taken by fellow Queensland all-rounder James Hopes, who has been rewarded for his strong form on Australia A's recent tour of Pakistan.
Australian team management responded to the recent run of injuries by issuing a public statement saying the 'high incidence' of hamstring strains was 'atypical' for the side.
Australian team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said: “There is no one separate reason for the problem but it is possible that the hectic nature of Twenty20 cricket combined with soft grounds and the high frequency of travel may have provided the additional stress required to cause injury in players who are at the start of their cricketing season and therefore lack conditioning."
Throwing Australia's preparations for the tour of India into further spin, paceman Nathan Bracken has been given compassionate leave to return home for the birth of his first child. But he is likely to be able to re-join the squad as soon as possible.
“At this stage no replacement player has been called upon and we will take this on a day-by-day basis," said chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch.
Australia take on India in the first of seven one-day internationals in Bangalore on September 29 before rounding off the tour with a Twenty20 meeting in Mumbai on October 20.
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Official site of the England and Wales Cricket Board