Snag in the run machine

He had 8220;very severe back pain8221;, Alcott told reporters, adding: 8220;It8217;s 50 per cent he might play, 50 per cent he might not play. But it8217;s just a bit too early to say at this stage. 8220;He8217;s in bed and not feeling very good.8221; Langer is Test cricket8217;s leading scorer in 2004 with 1,426 runs, including five centuries.

The 34-year-old left-hander was Man of the Match after scoring 191 and 97 in last week8217;s first Test win over Pakistan in Perth. New South Wales captain Simon Katich has been put on standby. 8220;It is expected that if Justin can8217;t play, then Simon will open the batting with Matthew Hayden, 8220; Australia chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said in a statement.