Hussey out of India tour

JOHANNESBURG, Sep 23 (Reuters) Left-handed batsman Michael Hussey will not be touring India with Australia after injuring his hamstring in the Twenty20 World Cup semi-final in Durban, team management announced today.

Hussey will return home when the rest of the team leave for India on Tuesday.

''Mike Hussey has strained his left hamstring and that will keep him out of the Indian series. He will continue to be assessed over the next 48 hours in South Africa before returning home to continue his rehabilitation,'' Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Queensland all-rounder James Hopes has been named as the replacement for Shane Watson, who returned to Australia on Friday after also straining his hamstring in the tournament.

''James Hopes has performed extremely well during Australia A's recent tour of Pakistan and will now have a chance to impress on the tour of India,'' selection panel chairman Andrew Hilditch said.

''A replacement for Hussey will be confirmed in the next 48 hours.'' The statement also said that paceman Nathan Bracken had been given leave to attend the birth of his first child and would join the rest of the squad in India as soon as possible.

REUTERS TB RK2113