Twenty20 series: James Faulkner could miss out for Australia after suffering knee injury in ODI series
The all-rounder flew to Melbourne to have the injury assessed after picking up the knock in the final One-Day International on Sunday
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Your support makes all the difference.James Faulkner could miss the three-match Twenty20 series against England due to a knee injury.
The 23-year-old did not travel with the rest of the squad to Hobart on Monday after he pulled up sore following his man-of-the-match performance in the five-run fifth one-day international on Sunday.
Faulkner instead flew to Melbourne to have the injury assessed after undergoing a scan after the match.
The all-rounder is a key part of Australia's Twenty20 team and had been included for the England series despite selection for the tour of South Africa.
Australia are due to fly out for that next week, although Faulkner's injury is the latest blow to preparations to meet the Proteas.
Shaun Marsh is also in some doubt after he suffered a calf injury in Adelaide.
The top-order batsman, a surprise selection for the tour, was forced off the field in the 36th over of England's chase.
The left-hander is confident he will be fit to take his place on the plane to South Africa, telling reporters at Adelaide airport: "Yeah it's not too bad. She'll be right. I'm fine."
Australia's immediate focus is on the 20-over series against England, as they prepare for the upcoming World Twenty20 in Bangladesh.
The first match is in Hobart on Wednesday when a new-look Australian team - which is ranked eighth in the world - will take the field.
With most of their Test stars rested, Australia have called up the likes of uncapped duo Chris Lynn and leg-spinner James Muirhead.
"It's a new squad coming down here so everyone is pretty keen to get amongst training and into the game," wicketkeeper Matthew Wade said.
"The Test guys are off now and a lot of the one-day guys aren't playing so the new group is looking forward to doing well.
"With a World Cup coming up we've got to try and finalise our team."
Australia's list of absentees may give England hope of improving on their solitary win, in Perth last Friday, over the hosts this winter.
England will be boosted by the inclusion of Luke Wright and Michael Lumb, who have enjoyed success on Australian soil this winter - in the domestic Big Bash League.
Wade is hopeful though that Australia's winning ways will roll on.
"I think we've taken the momentum through the whole summer," he said.
"The guys have set it up really nicely for us and we've managed to win the ODI series as well.
"It would be really nice to end the summer on a high.
"They are a dangerous team with dangerous players.
"We are going to have to play at our best to win.
"They've got players like Luke Wright and Lumb that have played over here for a couple of months now so they'll come in and be a bit more dangerous as well."
PA
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