Harris ruled out, Khawaja dropped;Ricky Ponting returned for third test against Srilanka 2011 :
Australia have replaced the injured Ryan Harris with Peter Siddle for the third Test against Sri Lanka at Colombo while Usman Khawaja makes way for Ricky Ponting, who had missed the second Test for the birth of his child.
Ryan Harris was ruled out of the final Test after scans revealed a hamstring strain. Harris had complained of a stiff right hamstring on the last day of the drawn second Test in Pallekele on Monday and underwent scans when the team drove to Colombo on Tuesday afternoon.
The bowler had earlier mentioned that he was keen to play. "I want to play as much as I can but I know I am a risk," Harris, nicknamed 'Rhino' for his burly physique, told reporters after the team's training session on Wednesday, which he missed.
The hamstring strain is the latest setback for injury-prone Harris, who has been battling a chronic knee problem since his debut last year.
"It's disappointing because I have done a fair bit of work to be strong again and something minor like this has upset it," he said.
Peter Siddle will have a crucial role to play as he replaces Harris who has been the highest wicket taker of the series with 11 wickets at an average of 14.54.
Siddle had struggled with his line and length in the warm-up match at Colombo that took place before the first Test. However, he has been working hard at the nets and the gym to make his way back into the Australian eleven.
Shaun Marsh, who scored a century on debut in the second Test batting at number 3, will occupy the number 6 spot in place of Khawaja while Ponting would be back to his usual No. 3 position.
Australia have replaced the injured Ryan Harris with Peter Siddle for the third Test against Sri Lanka at Colombo while Usman Khawaja makes way for Ricky Ponting, who had missed the second Test for the birth of his child.
Ryan Harris was ruled out of the final Test after scans revealed a hamstring strain. Harris had complained of a stiff right hamstring on the last day of the drawn second Test in Pallekele on Monday and underwent scans when the team drove to Colombo on Tuesday afternoon.
The bowler had earlier mentioned that he was keen to play. "I want to play as much as I can but I know I am a risk," Harris, nicknamed 'Rhino' for his burly physique, told reporters after the team's training session on Wednesday, which he missed.
The hamstring strain is the latest setback for injury-prone Harris, who has been battling a chronic knee problem since his debut last year.
"It's disappointing because I have done a fair bit of work to be strong again and something minor like this has upset it," he said.
Peter Siddle will have a crucial role to play as he replaces Harris who has been the highest wicket taker of the series with 11 wickets at an average of 14.54.
Siddle had struggled with his line and length in the warm-up match at Colombo that took place before the first Test. However, he has been working hard at the nets and the gym to make his way back into the Australian eleven.
Shaun Marsh, who scored a century on debut in the second Test batting at number 3, will occupy the number 6 spot in place of Khawaja while Ponting would be back to his usual No. 3 position.
