Adelaide ‘caused injury’
BEN Hilfenhaus’ injury has been linked to the flat, drop-in Adelaide Oval and back-to-back matches — factors selectors fear leading into the second and third Ashes Tests.
After leaving the field after only bowling five overs yesterday, Hilfenhaus had an MRI scan that confirmed a side strain, sidelining the former Test quick up to four weeks.
Tigers physiotherapist Stewart Williamson said coming off a Sheffield Shield game on the Adelaide Oval wicket into another game only four days later may have contributed to the injury.
It is exactly the same scenario Australia faces with the Test in Adelaide followed by the Perth clash starting just four days after the second Test’s completion.
‘‘We think it is likely the nature of the game in Adelaide last week combined with the quick turnaround between the games has culminated in Ben’s injury today,’’ Williamson said.
Tigers coach Dan Marsh said a bouncer barrage in Adelaide was also a factor — similar tactics Australia’s pace attack of Mitch Johnson, Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle are expected to use after the success in Brisbane.
‘‘We bowled a lot of short balls in Adelaide and Hilf bowled a lot of them and maybe that flared him up a little bit,’’ Marsh said.