Australia consider their bowling options as Bird ruled out.
Results from scans in Melbourne have revealed a back problem which will see the Australian fast bowler ruled out for up to two months.
The Daily Telegraph has revealed that Jackson Bird’s tour of India is officially over and Australia’s fast bowling curse continues to take its toll.
After an impressive display on his debut against Sri Lanka in the boxing-day test Bird will join an already bursting Australian fast bowling injury list alongside James Pattinson (side strain), Pat Cummins (back), Ryan Harris (hip/knee) and Josh Hazlewood (foot).
Australian selectors will be deciding whether to bring in a replacement for the 26-year-old ahead of the second test against India after an embarrassing 8-wicket first test defeat.
With left-arm paceman Mitchell Johnson waiting in reserve Cricket Australia may elect not to bring in another fast bowler to replace Bird. CA are facing calls from spectators back home to bring in more spin bowlers after the quick-heavy Australian attack was convincingly outplayed by a spin bowler driven Indian team.
Australia could have done with the injured fast bowler whose figures of 7-117 against Sri Lanka would have added some momentum to the bowling attack. However CA are looking towards the Ashes test series and will be taking a cautious approach to ensure Bird is available for selection.
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