Hartley gets the call
14/08/2009 9:35 PM
Australia has drafted uncapped wicketkeeper Chris Hartley into its team for the two-day match against England Lions at Canterbury.
Queensland gloveman Hartley has been playing league cricket in the north of England and was summoned due to current injuries to Brad Haddin and Graham Manou.
First-choice Haddin will not be risked, having broken the ring finger on his left hand in the warm-ups of the Edgbaston Test.
And tour deputy Manou, who made his international debut in that match, has aggravated a hand injury picked up while batting on the final day in Birmingham.
With the final Test of the Ashes series, currently locked at 1-1, starting next Thursday at the Oval, the Australians are being cautious.
Australian physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said: "Brad Haddin is recovering from a fractured finger sustained prior to the third Test at Edgbaston."
"To maximise his recovery, he will not play the game against the English Lions at Canterbury."
Of Manou, Kountouris added: "He was making good progress and unfortunately re-aggravated the injury two days ago."
Twenty-seven-year-old Queenslander, Hartley, has been playing for Chorley in the Northern League, having lost out to Manou in selection for the back-up keeper position on the Ashes tour.