Australia's injury woes on their tour of India continued when all-rounder Moises Henriques was ruled out of the fifth One-Day International against India at Hyderabad on Thursday with a hamstring injury.
All-rounder Henriques hurt his right hamstring in the field during Australia's 24-run victory in the fourth ODI in Mohali on Monday and it is likely that he also could be flown home with only three games remaining in the series.
The news of his injury came only a day after fast bowler Peter Siddle was sent home due to a stiffness in his left side.
The squad has already lost Brett Lee (elbow), James Hopes (hamstring) and Tim Paine (finger), and was without first-choice players Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Nathan Bracken and Callum Ferguson when the series began.
Henriques, himself, was a replacement player and joined the squad mid-way after Hopes was ruled out.
His unavailability for Thursday's match should mean an ODI debut for either spinner Jon Holland or fast bowler Clint McKay, both from Victoria. Fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus is also expected to return to the starting line-up.
Cricket Australia has not yet announced if a replacement for Siddle would be sent to India but the Henriques injury may force them to do so.
They are likely to begin the Hyderabad match with only 13 fit men to choose from and the captain Ricky Ponting said he feels for the injured players.
"It's disappointing to see these guys go down, because you know how much they want to play and be a part of the series and do the best they can to win games and win series," he was quoted as saying in the Sydney Morning Herald.
