Injury makes Jaques to return to Australia

Australian opener Phil Jaques will miss the rest of the Indian tour because of a back injury, Cricket Australia (CA) announced on Friday.

Team bosses said the 29-year-old left-hander, who has not played on the tour so far, was being sent home to help him recover in time for the upcoming domestic season.

"Phil has had a long-standing problem with his lower back that has been manageable up until now," team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said in a CA statement.

"The point has come where the injury is significantly limiting his ability to play, so he will return to Australia to seek specialist opinion on the best course of action."

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said Jaques' replacement for the final two Tests against India would be named soon.

"This is obviously disappointing news for Phil," said Hilditch. "We're hoping the treatment is successful and he can return to cricket as soon as possible.

"The selectors will be making a decision in a few days' time as to Phil's replacement on this tour."

Jaques, who made his debut in 2005, has so far played 11 Tests and scored 902 runs, at an average of 47.47 with three centuries. He has also scored 125 runs in six one-day internationals.

Jaques is the second player in the squad to have his tour cut short through injury. Leg-spinner Bryce McGain also went back to Australia and was replaced by Cameron White.

The first Test in Bangalore ended in a draw, while the second Test opened in Mohali earlier on Friday. The remaining two Tests will be played in New Delhi (Oct 29-Nov 2) and Nagpur (Nov 6-10).

Sri Lanka suffer Jaques rerun

The first day in Hobart gave Sri Lanka flashbacks of Brisbane as Phil Jaques and Michael Hussey each scored their second consecutive century and Australia went to stumps at 3 for 329. Hussey was in danger of spending a night in the 90s but he relieved the pressure in the final over by pulling Farveez Maharoof expertly through midwicket for four to bring up his hundred from 169 balls.

Sri Lanka had changed their attack by including Lasith Malinga but the results were largely the same as the first Test and at the close Hussey was on 101 with Michael Clarke on 8. Hussey's century was just another way the opening day at Bellerive Oval copied the start of the Gabba game - Australia batted first, Matthew Hayden fell to pace, Muttiah Muralitharan removed Ponting, and Jaques reached triple-figures with Hussey by his side.

But while repeats did not bother Australia, Sri Lanka were frustrated by the Jaques and Hussey rerun. The pair combined for a 152-run partnership that justified Ponting's decision to bat on a pitch that offered some early seam movement but was essentially ideal for batting.

Jaques lost his cool for 100 at the Gabba and this time skied a catch for 150 - Sri Lanka will be glad there is no third Test for him to continue the pattern with 200. While his Brisbane hundred was an uncharacteristic, prolonged effort, his follow-up in Hobart was much more typical of his style.