Aussies sweat on Bollinger fitness

MOHALI: The full Australian squad trained together for the first time on Wednesday, just 48 hours before the start of the first Test. Mike Hussey and left-arm seamer Doug Bollinger joined their teammates on Tuesday evening after a successful Champions League T20 campaign with Chennai Super Kings and straightaway hit the nets.
However, both Hussey and Bollinger are fatigued and their availability remains a matter of concern, according to coach Tim Nielsen.While Hussey is likely to recover in time, Bollinger is struggling. "Though players today need to learn how to change gears at will, it will not be easy for the 10-Test old Bollinger to acclimatise with Indian conditions in such a short time and recover enough to play a five-day game," said Nielsen.
"Both Hussey and Bollinger are a little behind in terms of time but we understand that situation. They have been told that if they are fit, both physically and mentally, they are more than likely to take their place in the team. We will take the final call after having another look at both players on Thursday," said coach Tim Nielsen following Wednesday’s net session, in which Bollinger had a short bowling stint before meeting the physio. "We must take the correct decision. Doug hasn’t been bowling long spells recently," Nielsen added.