Cricket-Australia paceman Pattinson a doubt for Champions Trophy

April 4 (Reuters) - James Pattinson is the latest name to be added to Australia's growing list of Champions Trophy injury doubts with the fast bowler needing abdominal surgery for an existing condition on Friday.

Captain Michael Clarke (lower back) is already facing a race against time to be fit for Australia's defence of the June 6-23 tournament in England, while injury-prone fast bowler Pat Cummins (upper back) appears set miss out completely.

Pattinson, who turns 23 next month, was undergoing the surgery in Melbourne and was expected to return to training in about a month, Cricket Australia (CA) said in a statement on Thursday.

"James Pattinson will be having surgery tomorrow for a non-cricket related medical condition in his lower abdominal region that has been troubling him during the latter part of the recently concluded tour of India," CA chief medical officer Justin Paoloni said.

"James has undergone tests and consulted specialists since returning from India, and it was felt that surgery is absolutely necessary at this time.

"The recovery time will be determined once the surgery is completed but James is expected to return to training in approximately four weeks.

"His preparation for the Ashes is not expected to be affected but his availability for the ICC Champions Trophy will be determined at a later stage."

Australia will remain in England for the Ashes series starting on July 10 with Nottingham's Trent Bridge hosting the first of five tests. (Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai; Editing by John O'Brien)

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Cricket-NZ name paceman Bracewell for third test v England

March 19 (Reuters) - New Zealand have provisionally named paceman Doug Bracewell in a 14-man squad for the third and final test against England starting in Auckland on Friday, pending his recovery from a domestic one-day match.

The 22-year-old missed the first two drawn tests after cutting his foot on glass when cleaning up at a party at his home in the leadup to the series, for which he apologised to his team mates for letting them down.

Bracewell's recovery would be tested in the Central Stags' clash with the Canterbury Wizards in Christchurch on Wednesday before a call would be made on his availability for the final test at Eden Park, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said in a statement.

Two other test squad members who were yet to feature in the series - fast bowler Ian Butler and uncapped opening batsman Tom Latham - would also play in the domestic competition on Wednesday before joining the squad in Auckland, NZC added.

"Doug's availability creates a real battle for spots for this deciding test against England," Blackcaps head coach Mike Hesson said.

"It also helps to manage the workload for a group of bowlers who have carried a heavy load during the first two tests."

New Zealand squad:

Brendon McCullum (capt), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Dean Brownlie, Ian Butler, Peter Fulton, Tom Latham, Bruce Martin, Hamish Rutherford, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson (Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Mark Lamport-Stokes)

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