Manou replaces Paine
29/10/2009 1:15 PM
South Australian wicketkeeper Graham Manou will replace the injured Tim Paine in Australia's One Day International Squad in India.
Paine broke his right ring finger taking a catch off a Peter Siddle bouncer in just the eighth over of Wednesday night's confidence-sapping 99-run loss to India in Nagpur.
Although Paine saw out the innings and batted in his now customary opening position, Australian skipper Ricky Ponting said after the match the injury was severe enough to see Paine sent back to Tasmania immediately.
The National Selection Panel has opted to replace him with Manou, despite Test incumbent Brad Haddin recovering from his own broken finger.
"Graham Manou is travelling to India tonight and will be available for selection for the next game," said NSP chairman Andrew Hilditch on Thursday.
"Graham richly deserves this opportunity following his Ashes debut and his successful domestic season last year in all forms of the game."
"After extensive discussions with Cricket Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris and Brad Haddin it was considered it is premature for Brad to resume cricket for Australia, having not played first-class cricket since the Oval Ashes Test," Hilditch added.
"It is expected Brad will make a return to first class cricket this weekend as the first stage of his preparation for a return to cricket for Australia."