Gillespie ruled out of Melbourne Test

In a big blow to a team already wracked by injury, Jason Gillespie has been ruled out of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India at Melbourne. Gillespie, the most impressive of the Australian bowlers in this series, suffered an injury on the final day of the second Test at Adelaide, and was unable to take the field after lunch on that day.

Errol Alcott, the Australian team physio, said, "Jason has strained his right groin and although the medical staff is confident it will resolve over the short term, we felt it was prudent for him to miss this Test match."

"I'm pretty disappointed at missing this Test," said Gillespie. "To play any match for Australia is a huge honour. I knew I was a chance of not playing but once you find out you won't play it hits you harder than you realise. It's now a case of getting things right for the rest of the summer as we have plenty of cricket left to play.

"I obviously won't be out on the field with the lads in Melbourne, but I'll probably travel down there for treatment with Errol and be around the ground each day. So far I'm progressing well and I'm pleased with the improvement that's occured over the last few days."

Australia were without three of their four first-choice bowlers during the first two Tests of this series - Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee were out injured, while Shane Warne is serving a one-year ban for taking a banned diuretic. Lee is expected to return for the Melbourne Test, but Gillespie's injury will dampen some of Australia's joy at his return.