Ins and outs: Selection news ahead of the Third Test between Australia and India at the SCG

James Pattinson has battled injury right throughout his career, and now an unlucky incident on his farm will keep him from playing the Sydney Test.

James Pattinson won’t be available for the Third Test after an accident while mowing his lawn. Picture: Getty Images

James Pattinson has spent years fighting to overcome career-threatening back injuries, only to be ruled out of the Sydney Test after losing a fight with a lawnmower.

Australia’s first reserve fast bowler has suffered bruised ribs after a freak fall at his Victorian property, which came after he was granted leave from the Melbourne hub following the Boxing Day Test.

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Will India go back to Rohit Sharma for inspiration in Sydney? Picture: AFP

News Corp understands Pattinson injured himself mowing the lawn when he tripped on a stormwater drain cover.

Pattinson was highly unlikely to play at the SCG anyway, but his absence could make it less likely for another squad member Sean Abbott to be given early leave to re-join the Sydney Sixers in the BBL.

It’s unknown how many Australian stars will go back to the BBL after a long and gruelling summer in the bubble, but clubs are increasingly confident the strength of Cricket Australia’s hubs in Sydney and Brisbane should mean players can instantly enter BBL land without quarantining.

The GOAT is plotting Ajinkya Rahane’s demise. Picture: Getty Images

Meanwhile, spin king Nathan Lyon – gearing up for his 99th Test at the SCG – has revealed he’s set to unveil brand new plans designed to unravel India’s new captain.

Lyon conceded Ajinkya Rahane got the better of him on Boxing Day on his way to a match-shaping century for India, but ‘The Goat’, who needs just six wickets to reach 400, has done his homework for a revenge mission at the SCG.

“I think Rahane played me extremely well in Melbourne so I know I have already come up with a couple of different plans for him and a few different guys, so I am looking forward to putting them in place,” said Lyon.

“To be honest with you, I think we have been pretty happy with our bowling a squad. To take 20 wickets quite quickly in Adelaide and then to be challenged a little bit in Melbourne and to stay there and keep creating chances was a positive, so we are very confident as a bowling group.”

The Australians are on guard for India revamping their batting line-up again to include vice-captain Rohit Sharma – who has only just come out of international quarantine, albeit with a brief stop-in at the Secret Kitchen restaurant at Chadstone Shopping Centre in Melbourne.

Rohit is a chance to open the batting alongside young gun – and fellow Secret Kitchen inside diner – Shubman Gill.

“Obviously, Rohit Sharma is one of the best players in the world going around so it’s going to be a big challenge for us bowlers but we are not going to shy away from it,” said Lyon.

“We love challenging ourselves. He is a big in for the Indian side so it’s going to be interesting to see who they leave out. We will have our plans ready for Rohit and, hopefully, we can get on top of him nice and early, but respect him for how good a cricketer Rohit is.”

Originally published as Ins and outs: Selection news ahead of the Third Test between Australia and India at the SCG