Melbourne: Clint McKay has been called in to Australia's squad as cover for Ben Hilfenhaus, who remains in doubt for the second Test in Leeds. Hilfenhaus hurt his left shoulder during Australia's win over Pakistan at Lord's, when he dived to save a boundary on the fourth and final day.
Australia's physio Alex Kountouris has been working with Hilfenhaus since Friday's victory, and the bowler was reported to be feeling better on Sunday. Hilfenhaus was the most convincing of Australia's fast bowlers at Lord's, where he finished with match figures of 3 for 74 and swung the ball with excellent control.
Although Australia remain hopeful that Hilfenhaus will be fit for the Headingley Test, which begins on Wednesday, the selectors have covered their bases by calling for McKay, the Victoria seamer. McKay was part of the one-day squad that lost to England in the lead-up to the Tests and he won't have far to travel, as he has been playing for Yorkshire in the Friends Provident Twenty20.
McKay was playing in Derbyshire on Sunday afternoon and was expected to join the Australians in Leeds on Sunday evening. Although McKay has already played Test cricket, the more likely scenario if Hilfenhaus is ruled out would be a debut for Peter George, the South Australia fast man.
George, 23, was a late addition to the squad when he replaced Ryan Harris, who flew home after the one-day series with a knee injury. George bowled in Australia's warm-up match against Derbyshire but did not collect a wicket.