Brad Hogg flies home with hamstring tear

Australia's left-arm spinner, Brad Hogg, has been ruled out of the remaining matches of the Champions Trophy, after sustaining a tear to his left hamstring. The injury occurred during a practice session in the nets at Edgbaston on Sunday, and he will return home immediately.

Hogg's injury was reviewed by a representative of the ICC's medical panel, and Cricket Australia has yet to make a decision whether to send for a replacement to shore up their 14-man squad. "Brad is experiencing a fair degree of discomfort in his movement," said Errol Alcott, the team physio. "There is a large amount of swelling behind his knee.

"Once he has returned to Australia, Hogg will be placed on a three-to-five-week rehabilitation program ,where his progress will be monitored and the injury will be reassessed. He is naturally disappointed, but he is a very fit player who works hard, so I have every confidence that he can overcome the injury sooner rather than later."

Hogg, a World Cup-winner in 2003, was naturally despondent at the turn of events. "I'm pretty flat at the moment," he said, "because as always I was enjoying being a part of the Australian side, and was determined to play my part in helping us win this tournament for the first time.

"I was also looking forward to the chance of playing at Edgbaston as it's been my English home for the past few months during my stint with Warwickshire in county cricket.

"I knew that the injury was fairly serious as soon as it occurred, but being an optimist, I thought I still might be able to play with it. That's obviously not the case, so all I can do now is get back home and try and be as fit as possible for the start of the state season."