Australia have suffered a third injury blow ahead of the second Test against South Africa after seamer Peter Siddle was ruled out of the Hobart match with a lower back problem.
Siddle, 31, had scans on his back after the 177-run defeat in Perth, which revealed the back problem that has kept him out for most of 2016 had flared up again.
“Whilst we expect bowlers to be sore after Test matches, this was slightly worse than we expected and given that he was returning from a significant back injury, we organised some scans today,” Australia physiotherapist David Beakley said.
See also:
• First Test: Kagiso Rabada leads South Africa over Australia
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“The scans demonstrated some low grade bone oedema around his old stress fracture that is likely to be a flare-up of his previous lower back injury.
“We are hopeful that this will resolve relatively quickly but have withdrawn him from the squad for the second Test match in Hobart.
“We will monitor his recovery and have a better idea of when he will return to play in the next week or so.”
Siddle’s injury comes after opener Shaun Marsh was ruled out of the second Test with a broken finger, while Adam Voges is a doubt with a hamstring strain.
Joe Burns and Callum Ferguson have been called up to the squad while Jackson Bird has been named on standby for Siddle.
Siddle’s injury has opened the door for Joe Mennie to be handed his Test debut after he was the player left out in Perth.
Australia coach Darren Lehmann warned his wounded squad "every spot is under pressure" after poor batting and a string of dropped catches in Perth consigned Australia to a fourth successive Test defeat.
Depending on the Hobart conditions, spinner Nathan Lyon could be a casualty after he failed to take a wicket in South Africa’s second innings at a cost of 146 runs.
“I would say every spot is under pressure,” said Lehmann, who is aware that the last time Australia lost four in a row, then coach Mickey Arthur was dismissed. “That’s the nature of the beast if you don’t have success.”
The second Test starts in Hobart on Saturday.
SCHEDULE:
• First Test, South Africa won by 177 runs, Perth
• Second Test, Saturday to November 16, Hobart
• Third Test, November 24-28, Adelaide
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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How to improve Arabic reading in early years
One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient
The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers
Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades
Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic
First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations
Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades
Improve the appearance of textbooks
Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings
Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught
Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
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Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
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Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
