Gillespie unlikely to play in third Test

Australia's run of bad luck with injuries seems set to continue, with Jason Gillespie ruling himself an unlikely starter for Australia's third Test against India, which starts on December 26 at Melbourne. Gillespie strained his right groin and was forced to leave the field on the last day of the Adelaide Test, which India won by four wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

"I'm feeling pretty good this morning, and the medical staff are pleased it isn't too bad, but I'm not holding high hopes of playing at Melbourne," Gillespie said. "My guess is I'll be running and just starting to bowl by then, which will be good, but as for the rigours of a five-day match, I'm not sure I'll be ready for that." According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Gillespie could realistically be expected to return only for the fourth Test, at Sydney.

"I'd obviously be very keen to play," Gillespie added. "This is a great series to be involved in, and I'd want to play my part. I also felt that Adelaide was the best I'd bowled in Tests for about a year, though the rewards didn't come my way." Gillespie finished with match figures of 2 for 128.

Talking about the moment when he first felt the injury, Gillespie said: "I hit my delivery stride and felt a twinge in my groin. I was going to try another ball but Stephen [Waugh] said I should go and get it checked." Gillespie was in his 11th over of the innings.

With Glenn McGrath already ruled out for the entire series and Shane Warne still serving a one-year ban, Australia's bowling attack will be severely depleted if Gillespie is indeed ruled out. The good news is that Brett Lee is all set to return, while Brad Williams's shoulder injury is expected to heal completely in a week's time.

Australia will name their third-Test squad on December 22.