Siddle, Hilfenhaus unlikely to participate in second Proteas test

South Africa FlagDurban (South Africa), Mar 4 : Australian fast bowlers Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus, who are recovering from their respective injuries, are doubtful starters for the second cricket Test against South Africa on March 6.

While Siddle has left-foot soreness, Hilfenhaus is suffering from lower-back pain.

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch has already announced that Western Australia paceman Steve Magoffin, who would be having his Test debut, would be flown to Durban "as a precautionary measure".

"With Ben and Peter suffering some soreness following the first Test, and with such a short turnaround between the first and second Test, the national selection panel has taken the precaution of adding another bowler to the squad," Hilditch said.

"Steve Magoffin has been added as a standby player ... and we are sure he will step up should the opportunity present itself in South Africa," he added

Tasmanian Brett Geeves is also expected to have a Test debut after joining the squad this week following New South Wales left-armer Doug Bollinger''''s abdominal-muscle strain while bowling in the nets.

Magoffin is the second-leading wicket-taker in the Sheffield Shield this summer with 38 at 22.86, one more than the 26-year-old Geeves who has 37 victims at 23.86. Brett Dorey has 42 scalps.

Geeves has also scored 343 runs at 38.11, almost same to Magoffin''''s 381 at 38.10.

Siddle, who was man of the match with eight wickets in Australia''''s win over South Africa in the third Test in Sydney, claimed a further six wickets in the first test in Johannesburg.

Hilfenhaus has also proved his mettle by taking three wickets on debut in Johannesburg. (ANI)

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