Katich and Bollinger in Ashes fitness race

[aussies1st]

Simon Katich and Doug Bollinger will have only one first-class match to prepare for the opening Ashes Test after their injuries kept them out of New South Wales' Sheffield Shield side to face Victoria from Wednesday. Katich (thumb) and Bollinger (stomach) picked up the problems during the tour of India and they will have to be picked on faith when the first Test squad is named on Monday.

Bollinger bowled in the nets with the Australian one-day side in Sydney last week and is scheduled to come back against Tasmania next week. Katich's complaint originally carried a six-week recovery time and he is hopeful of being fit for the same encounter, although his problem is the greater worry for the Test side.

Katich has formed an outstanding opening combination with Shane Watson and any setbacks to his injury will further disrupt a batting line-up that is already struggling. The Ashes begins at the Gabba on November 25 and Australia's selectors will have to consider an extended squad to cover all options. Australia A play England in Hobart next week, with that fixture starting after the Test unit has been selected.

http://www.cricinfo.com/the-ashes-2010-11/content/current/story/486153.html

Hopefully both pull up fit don't need Siddle in the side although Hughes in for Katich would be alright or Khawaja.

 

[Twizzle]

Hughes is next in the pecking order in the batting.

I think Siddle is only being looked at for ODI game, George would be above Siddle