Bad blow for Brad Williams

Brad Williams, the Australian fast bowler, has been ruled out of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka which begins in Darwin on July 1. Williams, who was sent home early from last month's Zimbabwe tour with a lower-back injury, has not recovered sufficiently and though he was named last week in a 13-man squad, his selection was subject to a fitness test which was due to be held in Brisbane this week.

Trefor James, Australian team doctor, said, "Brad has not recovered enough from the back injury he sustained in Zimbabwe to resume full training and has therefore been ruled out of the forthcoming series against Sri Lanka."

Williams now hopes to recover in time for the ICC Champions Trophy, to be played in England in September. "It's a disappointing result," said Williams. "I really haven't played that much cricket over the last couple of months and I was looking forward to rejoining the team in Darwin."

"I was confident I'd be available for selection and had started some light training but it doesn't look like I'll be in a position to increase my intensity levels for another couple of weeks. I'll continue to work on my rehabilitation with the guys here in Perth and I'm sure I'll be ready to go in time for the ICC Champions Trophy."

The Australian selectors had not yet made up their mind on a replacement, and would name one in due course.