Ashes rivals suffer injury scares ahead of series

SYDNEY, Nov 17 (Reuters) The Australian and English cricket teams were both hit by injury scares today, just six days before the start of the first Ashes test in Brisbane.

England fast bowler Steve Harmison pulled out of the tourists' three-day match against South Australia in Adelaide because of a side-strain.

Australian middle-order batsman Damien Martyn then withdrew from Western Australia's one-day match against Queensland in Perth with an elbow problem, while all-rounder Shane Watson limped off the field in the same match after injuring his hamstring while bowling.

Western Australian team officials said Martyn would definitely be available for Brisbane but there were some concerns about Harmison and Watson.

Harmison complained of feeling stiffness in his side when he woke up in the morning. He bowled in the nets before the match in Adelaide but was told to play it safe and was replaced by Sajid Mahmood.

England coach Duncan Fletcher said later that Harmison was taken to hospital for scans and a painkilling injection and there were fears he could miss the series opener.

''He's not guaranteed for Brisbane with that problem he's had before,'' Fletcher told reporters in Adelaide.

''So we'll just have too see how this injection goes and what effect it has on him.

''We're not going to guarantee it, but we're planning, if he's fine tomorrow and it's not as bad as it was, we'll give him a bowl and see how he feels with it.'' PULLED UP Watson will be assessed by the Australian team's medical staff when he arrives in Brisbane tomorrow.

The 25-year-old was bowling the first ball of his sixth over for Queensland when he pulled up sharply, clutching the back of his right leg.

Watson was included in a 13-man Australian squad as a counter to English all-rounder Andrew Flintoff and was expected to bat at number six.

If he is unavailable, Australia's selectors may have to look for another specialist all-rounder such as Andrew Symonds or go with an extra bowler or batsman.

Martyn did not start in the match because of elbow tendonitis but Western Australia team doctor Damien McCann said it was only a precautionary measure.

''He is expected to be fully fit by the time he arrives in Brisbane to go into camp with the Australian team,'' McCann told reporters.

REUTERS SAM BD1633