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Hamstring injury cuts short Boyd Rankin's Test debut

January 03, 2014 12:29 IST

England's Boyd Rankin had a forgettable Test debut with a hamstring injury forcing him from the field twice in the final Ashes Test against Australia in Sydney on Friday.

Boyd RankinThe giant Irish-born paceman could only send down 8.2 overs before he limped from the Sydney Cricket Ground late in the opening day.

Rankin, 29, who replaced Tim Bresnan in one of three English changes from the side beaten by eight wickets in the fourth Melbourne Test, bowled one ball in his ninth over before he came off for treatment before tea. 

He later returned to the field and bowled just one more delivery before again pulling up short. He trudged from the field, reducing the tourists to just three front-line fast bowlers and tyro leg-spinner Scott Borthwick. 

Rankin's injury setback heaped further pressure on Alastair Cook's squad, who are battling to avoid the ignominy of a 5-0 series whitewash by the Australians. 

Cook had early success after winning his first toss of the series, sending the home side into bat and reducing Australia to 97 for five before Brad Haddin and Steve Smith restored the innings with a 128-run sixth-wicket stand. 

Image: Boyd Rankin of England speaks to his captain, Alastair Cook, after he suffered a leg injury during day one of the fifth Ashes Test against Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.

Photo: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images