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Simon Katich remains in doubt for the Hobart Test against Pakistan with an elbow injury, forcing the selectors to again name Phillip Hughes as a backup opener. Australia named an unchanged 13-man squad for the final Test of the home summer, giving Marcus North a reprieve despite a string of low scores.

The remarkable series-winning victory at the SCG discouraged the selectors from making any alterations, allowing North another opportunity to turn around his form after scores of 1, 8, 10 and 2 in his past two Tests. The main query surrounds Katich, who missed the Sydney Test due to his elbow problem.

Hughes did not fully grab his chance back in the Test side, with a first-innings duck and 37 in the second innings. The likelihood of Hughes playing at Bellerive, where the Test starts next Thursday, depends on how Katich performs when he bats in the nets in Hobart early next week.

“Simon has been having regular treatment on his arm injury since being ruled out of the Sydney Test and will travel to Hobart with the squad where he will continue his rehabilitation,” Australia’s physio Alex Kountouris said. “A decision on his availability will be made closer to the start of the Test in Hobart after he’s had an opportunity to bat in the nets to test his injury.”

Squad Shane Watson, Simon Katich, Phillip Hughes, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Marcus North, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Peter Siddle, Clint McKay, Doug Bollinger.
Source:Cricket News

Image Source:Cricinfo

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