Balaji replaces injured Salvi for Australia tour

L Balaji: will tour Australia after all © AFP

Lakshmipathy Balaji has replaced Aavishkar Salvi for the four-Test tour of Australia. Salvi sustained an acute shoulder sprain during the final of the TVS Cup in Kolkata and the selectors and team management present at the venue decided that Balaji was the best replacement.

Salvi, who bowled three overs for 23 runs, is unlikely to play competitive cricket for at least four weeks, in the opinion of team physio Andrew Leipus.

Balaji, who took ten wickets in Tamil Nadu's most recent Ranji trophy match, against Rajasthan, was overjoyed on hearing the news. "Playing in Australia is a great opportunity," said Balaji on the telephone from his Chennai residence. "I'm really looking forward to doing well in Australia."