Wednesday 4 October 2017 09:03, UK
Australia's James Pattinson is likely to miss the first Ashes Test against England as he continues to suffer from back problems.
Australia's fast-bowling coach David Saker reported that Pattinson was still struggling with the problem but added that Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood were all set to be fit for the opening Test in Brisbane next month.
Saker, standing in for Darren Lehmann as Australia coach on their limited-overs tour of India, gave an update on the team's frontline seamers.
"Three of them we know are on track, but James Pattinson's had a little bit of a setback," said Saker, who was England's fast-bowling coach on their last two Ashes tours.
"We're not sure how bad (Pattinson's injury is) at the moment."
Starc (foot), Hazlewood (side) and Cummins were all rested during the Twenty20 leg of the India tour and still seek to prove their fitness in the Sheffield Shield fixtures.
Saker added: "Josh Hazlewood is on track to play the first Test, Mitchell Starc is going really well and Patty is obviously flying.
"I think it's really good for the whole Australian team that they've got three [Sheffield] Shield games.
"Whether the fast bowlers play all three of those, we'll wait and see."
