Australia's hopes of strengthening their bowling attack suffered a blow when strike bowler Brett Lee was ruled out of the third one-day international against India, at the Feroz Shah Kotla, in New Delhi, on Saturday.
Lee missed the second ODI in Nagpur when India led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni's blazing 124 from 107 deliveries hammered a mammoth 354 for seven in their 50 overs.
Australia buckled under the pressure of the huge total and were bowled out for 255 to lose by 99 runs, leaving the seven-match series level at 1-1.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting confirmed Lee and all-rounder James Hopes would not play the third ODI after the team's training session on Friday.
"Both those guys won't play tomorrow. Brett had a light bowl in the nets today as did Hopes. Hopes got through the bowling ok, but I actually think it's too much to risk and too soon. So he will sit out one more game.
"Brett bowled at 85 percent in the nets and still felt a bit of pain and discomfort in his elbow. So he won't play tomorrow but hopefully with a couple of days rest he will be fit for the Mohali game," Ponting said in Delhi, on Friday.
The Aussie captain also revealed that included back-up all-rounder Moises Henriques for the Delhi ODI would be a big risk to take as he has not played any international cricket.
""Henriques has joined the squad, but we haven't finalized the final eleven yet. Yes, it will be a big step up for him. He has played only 15 or 20 games for New South Wales and to play the international game will be a big hurdle for him," said Ponting.
Dhoni and Gambhir lead India to World Cup glory
Twenty-eight years on from the match that transformed the history of world cricket, India recaptured the crown that Kapil Dev and his men first lifted at Lord\'s in 1983, and this time they did so in their very own back yard.An iron-willed 97 from Gautam Gambhir was matched for intensity by the finest captain\'s innings since Ricky Ponting in Johannesburg eight years ago, as MS Dhoni trumped a poetic century from Mahela Jayawardene to pull off the highest run-chase ever achieved in a World Cup final.
India vs Australia
Indian cricketers celebrate their massive 99-run victory over Australia in the second ODI match at The Vidarbha Cricket Association, Jamtha Stadium in Nagpur on Wednesday, October 28, 2009.
Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni struck a breathtaking 124 as India put up an all-round display to crush Australia by 99 runs in the second one-dayer to level the seven-match series 1-1, here on Wednesday.
Srilanka beat India in Idea Tri-Nation Series in Bangladesh on January 13 2010
Historically, when it comes to finals of triangular tournaments, Sri Lanka have had the upper hand over India, who in the last decade succeeded in winning just four in 21 finals. A familiar tale panned out in Dhaka, where a frenetic start was followed by an enthralling finish and the result was yet another tournament win for Sri Lanka over India.
Zimbabwe vs Kenya
Charles Coventry congratulates Hamilton Masakadza who made 178 runs and the highest of zimbabwe against Kenya, Zimbabwe v Kenya, 5th ODI, Harare, October 18, 2009. Zimbabwe won the series 5-1.
Champion Trohpy
Australian team celebrates after winning the ICC Champions trophy on October 5, 2009 at the end of the ICC Champions Trophy final match against New Zealand at Supersport park cricket ground in Centurion in Sauth Africa
Champion Trohpy Final
Australia\'s Shane watson and James Hopes celebrates the victory over New Zealand during the ICC Champions Trophy\'s final match in Centurion
India became number one test team first time in the history of cricket
Indian cricketers pose for a team photo after winning on the final day of the third Test against Sri Lanka in Mumbai on Sunday, December 6, 2009. India won by an innings and 24 runs, clinching the 3-match Test series by 2-0. They also became the number one Test side for the first time in the history of cricket.
