West Australian seamer Joel Paris has suffered a low-grade hamstring strain on day three of Australia A’s contest against New Zealand A in Brisbane.
On Wednesday morning, the 30-year-old gingerly walked off the field two deliveries into his 15th over of the second innings, leaving Australia A with one less bowler at their disposal for the remainder of the day.
Cricket Australia later confirmed Paris had strained his left hamstring and would continue to be assessed by team medics at Allan Border Field. It’s uncertain whether he will be available to bat in the second innings if required.
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“He’s an important figure in the change room,” Australia A quick Mitchell Perry told reporters at stumps.
“Even when he wasn’t out there, he was always applauding when you’re walking off and telling you to keep going.
“He’s very experienced in that sort of side of it.”
Paris, who represented Australia in two ODIs in January 2016, has a long and unfortunate history with injury setbacks. Earlier this year, he was ruled out of Australia A’s tour of New Zealand after suffering a back injury during Western Australia’s triumphant Sheffield Shield campaign, where he claimed 27 wickets at 17.37.
New Zealand A’s Scott Kuggeleijn smacked an unbeaten century on day three to help the tourists set an imposing fourth-innings target for Australia A to chase on Thursday.
The 31-year-old, batting at No. 8, brought up his fourth first-class century in just 85 deliveries, cracking 12 boundaries and four sixes in the swashbuckling knock.
“We sort of knew he had that in him,” Perry said of Kuggeleijn.
“He strikes the ball beautifully. It was just one of those days where you get away with it and hit the ball to all parts very, very nicely.”
Kuggeleijn combined with Brett Randell for a 91-run partnership for the eighth wicket to frustrate Australia’s fatigued bowlers, steering New Zealand A towards a team total of 468.
Earlier on Wednesday, Kiwi opener Sean Solia was dropped on the first ball of the day by Cameron Bancroft before falling victim to Perry nine runs short of a century.
New Zealand A captain Tom Bruce and Muhammad Abbas each scored fifties while Perry and Queensland seamer Mark Steketee both snared four wickets for the hosts, who were set a 353-run target for victory.
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Australia A was 1-31 when stumps were called early due to poor light, with opener Cameron Bancroft and Tasmania’s Caleb Jewell unbeaten in the middle.
Tim Ward was the lone victim in the evening session, departing for 11 after edging a cut stroke through to wicketkeeper Cam Fletcher, who made no mistakes with the gloves.
“Obviously over 300 is a big chase on any final day, and the wicket I think is going to start playing a few more tricks,” Perry continued.
“Hopefully the boys can dig in the first hour tomorrow and set up a late-in-the-day finale finish.”
Australia A, who require a further 322 runs or victory, will continue their run chase on Thursday morning at 9.30am AEST.
