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Steve Magoffin the Western Australia fast bowler, will fly to South Africa as cover for Australia’s struggling attack following niggling injuries to Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle. The squad has already been expanded by Brett Geeves, who is there in case Doug Bollinger fails to recover from a stomach problem in time to be considered for Friday’s second Test in Durban.

Siddle and Hilfenhaus played key roles in Australia’s opening victory in Johannesburg as the inexperienced line-up out-gunned the home team. However, Siddle’s left foot is aching following the game – he spent most of January out with a similar injury – and Hilfenhaus, who made his debut, has lower-back soreness.

“With such a short turnaround between the first and second Test, the panel has taken the precaution of adding another bowler to the squad,” the chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said. “Steve Magoffin has been added as a stand-by player, but that being said he has been a consistent cricketer in the Australian interstate competition for a long time now.”

Magoffin, a tall bowler capable of gaining uncomfortable bounce, currently sits second on the wicket list for the Sheffield Shield with 38 and has 191 first-class victims at 27.90. “We are sure he will step up should the opportunity present itself in South Africa,” Hilditch said.

Siddle and Hilfenhaus will continue to receive treatment in the lead-up to the second game. The young attack was chosen for the tour due to long-term injuries to the regulars Brett Lee and Stuart Clark.

Source:Cricket News

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