Australia vice captain Shane Watson has a left calf injury and may not bowl again in the current Test against Sri Lanka at the MCG.
Cricket Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris broke the news late Thursday night.
“Shane sustained a left calf injury while bowling on day one,” Kountouris said.
“He was able to get though the batting innings today and is likely to field on day three (Friday).
“Whether he bowls in the second innings will be determined closer to the bowling innings.
“A decision on his availability for the New Year Test will be made after the completion of the current match.”
Watson and captain Michael Clarke added 194 for Australia’s fourth wicket on day two, the skipper made 106 and Watson fell in the very next over for 83.
Mitchell Johnson will resume on 73 on Friday, aiming to stretch the home side’s lead beyond 300.
At 8-440 in their first innings, the Australians hold a 284-run lead.
Paceman Johnson, who took four wickets to destroy Sri Lanka’s middle order on day one, was key to keeping Australia in command with his late batting flurry after the fall of three quick wickets.
Nathan Lyon resumes alongside him on nought as Australia attempt to wrap up the three-Test series they already lead 1-0.
Clarke will give Johnson every chance to reach his century, saying he wants to keep batting rather than consider declaring.
“As many runs as we could get would be very handy. I’d love to see Mitchell get his second Test hundred,” Clarke said.
Sri Lankan batting coach Marvan Atapattu admits his side must strike early on Friday to have any hope of salvaging the Test – especially with wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene and paceman Chanaka Welegedera injured.
While unable to keep with a fractured thumb, Jayawardene is expected to bat when needed.
Welegedera won’t and is probably unlikely to play in Sydney because of an injured hamstring.
“It’s a long, long way from ending, this game,” Atapattu said.
“I reckon we still have to have a good batting innings from the time we get them out – hopefully in the first session – and see what we can do from there.”
