Hilfenhaus to miss first Windies one-day match

St. Vincent, Mar 15(ANI): Australian pace bowler Ben Hilfenhaus will miss the opening one day match against the West Indies.

Hilfenhaus, who missed the March 11 training due to a virus, joins youngster James Pattinson on the sidelines for the opening game at the Arnos Vale Cricket Ground in St Vincent.

It leaves Australia with Clint McKay and Brett Lee as their only frontline pacers for the match, while stand-in captain Shane Watson and all-rounder Dan Christian are also available for the task.

Watson is considering opting two spinners in the St. Vincent match, taking into account dry and dusty wicket.

He said he is considering giving an opportunity to both Nathan Lyon and Xavier Doherty in the March 16 match.

"Absolutely they're a chance because they did a brilliant job in the last game in Adelaide especially. For me as a captain it gives me plenty of options when you do have two spinners of that quality," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.

"In the end, it's all about trying to balance that with exactly what we need here with the conditions but also with the West Indian team and how they're going to play their cricket," he added.

Australia is expected to finalise their final XI after the team's final training session on today. (ANI)