Gillespie and MacGill face fitness battle for Sydney Test

It will be another 24 hours before a conclusive appraisal can be made on the injuries that Stuart MacGill and Jason Gillespie have picked up during the first Test at Perth. Both will be monitored closely to assess their availability for the second Test, which starts in Sydney on Friday.

Errol Alcott, the Australian team physiotherapist, said, "Given the nature of the injuries and the short amount of time between matches, it is concerning, and I guess that puts a cloud over their availability for Sydney. With Jason Gillespie, he felt a degree of discomfort early in yesterday's second innings. He wanted to keep bowling, he wants to bowl today, but scans have revealed that his grunt [sic] muscle is strained, so in the interests of his longer-term future, we need to hold him back."

Gillespie said it was another injury at a time when he felt the ball was coming out nicely. "I understand the need to take a cautious approach to this injury because it has set me back in the past," he said. "I will do whatever it takes to get things right prior to the second Test, and I guess we will have a better idea as to how the injury is going over the day or so."

Alcott said MacGill had experienced sharp pain while he was bowling. "The calf is torn, which is a genuine concern considering it is his set-up and landing leg. We will treat him and assess his progress over the course of the next 24 hours."

Australia's squad for the second Test is expected to be announced at 11am tomorrow (Sydney time).