Injured Gillespie and MacGill to miss remainder of first 3 Test

Australian fast-bowler Jason Gillespie and leg-spinner Stuart MacGill will miss the remainder of the first 3 Test against Zimbabwe in Perth due to injury.

The pair were forced from the ground during the third day of the match (11 October) - Gillespie with discomfort in his left side and MacGill with pain in his right calf muscle.

Diagnostic scans taken of both players late last night revealed Gillespie has suffered a possible grade one tear of his left grunt muscle, while MacGill has sustained a grade one plus tear of his calf.

It is not yet known whether either player will be available for the second 3 Test in Sydney beginning next Friday.

Australian team physiotherapist Errol Alcott said: "Both have fresh injuries, so we will monitor their progress closely over the next 24 hours before coming to any conclusions about their availability for the second Test.

"However given the nature of the injuries and the short amount of time between matches, it is concerning, and I guess that puts a cloud over their availability for Sydney.

"With Jason Gillespie, he felt a degree of discomfort early in yesterday's second innings.

"He wanted to keep bowling, he wants to bowl today, but scans have revealed that his grunt muscle is strained, so in the interests of his longer term future, we need to hold him back.

Jason Gillespie said: "It's another blow really at a time when I felt the ball was coming out nicely.

"I understand the need to take a cautious approach to this injury because it has set me back in the past.

"I will do whatever it takes to get things right prior to the second Test, and I guess we will have a better idea as to how the injury is going over the day or so," he said.

Describing Stuart MacGill's situation, Errol Alcott said: "Stuart experienced sharp pain during the course of play.

"The calf is torn, which is a genuine concern considering it is his set-up and landing leg.

"We will treat him and assess his progress over the course of the next 24 hours.

Gillespie and MacGill will remain in camp with the Australian squad.