Sydney, May 8 (Inditop) Australian cricketers Nathan Bracken and James Hopes will miss the second edition of the Indian Premier League due to knee injuries.
The two were among the six Australians who were to fly to South Africa after their side’s final match against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Thursday. Bracken plays for Rajasthan Royals while Hopes is a part of Kings XI Punjab.
Australian team doctor Trefor James said Bracken and Hopes should be rested so they are completely fit for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup in June.
“While these injuries were not of a severity that rule them out of the final Twenty20 clash against Pakistan, it has been decided that a period of rest and rehabilitation over the next two to three weeks will be the best preparation for both the players ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup in England,” James was quoted as saying in the Sydney Morning Herald.
The rest of the Australian players, including Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson, Brett Lee and David Hussey, will join their IPL teams as planned.
