Snag in the run machine

He had “very severe back pain”, Alcott told reporters, adding: “It’s 50 per cent he might play, 50 per cent he might not play. But it’s just a bit too early (to say) at this stage. “He’s in bed and not feeling very good.” Langer is Test cricket’s leading scorer in 2004 with 1,426 runs, including five centuries.

The 34-year-old left-hander was Man of the Match after scoring 191 and 97 in last week’s first Test win over Pakistan in Perth. New South Wales captain Simon Katich has been put on standby. “It is expected that if Justin can’t play, then Simon will open the batting with Matthew Hayden, “ Australia chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said in a statement.