Hussey doubtful for India tour

A hamstring injury in the semi-final loss to India might force Hussey to miss the forthcoming ODI series © Getty Images

Michael Hussey might miss the tour of India because of a hamstring injury he picked up during Australia's semi-final loss to India in the ICC World Twenty20. Hussey becomes the third Australian to be affected by a hamstring injury during the ongoing ICC World Twenty20, including Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson, with the latter out of the series already.

Alex Kountouris, the team physio, blamed a hectic schedule, travelling and high-intensity games for the players' breakdown. "In the last two weeks we have experienced a high incidence of hamstring injuries which is atypical for the Australian cricket team," he said.

"Our data showed it's about 70% [intensity] of a one-day game even though at 20 overs it's only 40% of the game time. I think the injuries were a combination of a lot of things - bad luck, early season, fatigue at the end of the tournament, having guys in their 30s.

"I think the soft ground, particularly in Cape Town where we spent most of our time, was one big factor. It wasn't the ideal sort of planning as well, having to travel two hours every day between games, it's not what 30-year-olds need."

Kountouris said Hussey, who'd strained his left hamstring, would be assessed over the next 48 hours in South Africa before returning home to continue his rehabilitation. He said Brad Hodge and Brad Haddin had also come close to having hamstring injuries.

"They're hanging by a thread," Kountouris said, adding Hodge would have been doubtful had Australia reached the final of the ICC World Twenty20. Australia play India in a seven-match ODI series starting on September 29. The tour ends with a Twenty20 match taking place in Mumbai.