McGain out of first Test

Captain Ricky Ponting will be without leg-spinner Bryce McGain for the first Test

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Australian leg-spinner Bryce McGain has been ruled out of the first Test against India next week due to a shoulder injury.

The uncapped 36-year-old has struggled to bowl since straining his right shoulder while playing with Australia A on their tour of India last month.

While McGain had hoped the injury was not serious, he was unable to bowl in the Australians’ tour opener against RCA Centre of Excellence last week and after testing his shoulder in the nets in Hyderabad on Tuesday pulled up sore.

The news comes as a blow to the Australians’ preparations after they took just two slow bowlers to India.

The other, Tasmanian off-spinner Jason Krejza, is also yet to play for his country and is set to get the nod for the first Test in Bangalore on October 9.

Krejza will get ample opportunity to impress in Australia’s warm-up game against a Board President's XI, starting in Hyderabad on Thursday, with the team reluctant to use the spinning talents of vice-captain Michael Clarke who has struggled with injury himself in recent times.

And with the selectors due to arrive in India during the game Australia coach Tim Nielsen said a decision on whether to call for a replacement for the injured McGain would be made.

“With the selectors coming in on the second day of this game, we will then be in the best situation to take a decision as to whether to ask for a replacement,” he said.

“This is a great opportunity for Jason Krejza.”