Pattinson ruled out of under-19 series

Australia have been forced to make a late change ahead of the five-match under-19 series against the reigning world champions Pakistan. The Victorian James Pattinson has suffered a back injury and will miss the tournament, which begins in Brisbane on Friday and finishes in Caloundra next week.

Brian McFadyen, the Australia Under-19 coach, said the series was a major challenge as the squad prepared for the 2008 World Cup in Malaysia. "India and Pakistan are the acknowledged world leaders when it comes to youth cricket," he said. "Pakistan won the last World Cup and it will be a real test for our team to take on the No. 1 team."

Australia will have a three-day camp in Brisbane before the series and one player will be added to the 12-man squad. Brisbane's Allan Border Field will host the first two matches before the teams head north to Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast.

Australia Under-19 Shaun Austin (Qld), Daniel Burns (NSW), Nathan Coulter-Nile (WA), Matthew Day (NSW), James Faulkner (Tas), Michael Hill (Vic), Phillip Hughes (NSW), Simon Keen (NSW), David Murphy (NSW), Dom O'Brien (Qld), Kumar Sarna (Vic), James Smith (SA), Brian McFadyen (coach).

Pakistan Under-19 Ahmed Shehzad (capt), Imad Wasim, Ali Jawad, Gulraiz Sadaf, Junaid Khan, Junaid Malik, Mohammad Aamer, Mohammad Rameez, Rahat Ullah, Shahzaib Ahmed, Shan Masood, Taimur Ali, Umar Amin, Zeeshan Mushtaq, Moshin Sheikh (coach).

Schedule
April 13, Allan Border Field, Brisbane
April 14, Allan Border Field, Brisbane
April 17, Caloundra Oval (d/n)
April 19, Caloundra Oval (d/n)
April 20, Caloundra Oval (d/n)