Australian pacer John Hastings has been ruled out of the Australia’s squad for the Caribbean tri-series with the West Indies and South Africa after ankle surgery on the weekend.Hastings suffered the injury during training before the Kolkata Knight Riders’ clash with the Mumbai Indians at Eden Gardens on April 13. The injury also ruled him out from the IPL.
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“John experienced pain in his left ankle during his recent stint in the IPL and had scans upon returning home which have confirmed early stage bone stress of his fibula bone near his ankle,” Cricket Australia Sports Science and Sports Medicine Manager Alex Kountouris said
“While laid off with this injury we have taken this opportunity to undertake arthroscopic surgery to remove bone spurs in his left ankle which have been causing him concern for some time and were possibly contributing to the cause of the bone stress. “John had this surgery over the weekend and now requires a period of rest to resolve the bone stress and recover from surgery before he will resume bowling.”
Hastings started the IPL tournament in terrific fashion, claiming 2-6 inside three over in the Knight Riders’ impressive nine-wicket opening win over Delhi Daredevils. Hastings then played through pain in Kolkata’s six-wicket loss to Mumbai, finishing with 0-31 from four overs, after which he flew back to Australia.
It will be a big blow for Australia as Hastings was in very good form. Cricket Australia announced that he will be replaced by fellow Victorian pacer Scott Boland.
Australia will begin the triangular series against South Africa in Guyana on June 6.