Mongia, Srinath unlikely to bat

India's worries in the first Test against Australia were further aggravated, with two of its players on the injury list.

Team manager Chetan Chauhan, on Wednesday evening, said wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia and paceman Javagal Srinath, both nursing finger injuries, are unlikely to bat on Thursday, the third day of the first Test.

Mongia, who came in as night-watchman towards close of play on Wednesday, was forced to retire hurt after being hit on his right thumb by a Damien Fleming delivery while Srinath, Chauhan said, is suffering from a hairline fracture, after being hit on his right hand by a rising delivery on Monday in India's first innings.

India were 58 for two in their second innings, still needing 115 runs to avert an innings defeat. The visitors made 349 in their first innings in reply to India's 176.

Mail Cricket Editor