Left-armer Bollinger has compiled a handy record in Test cricket

Australia pace bowler Doug Bollinger will have to prove his fitness before being named for the first Ashes Test.

Bollinger, 29, who has taken 49 wickets in 11 Tests, flew home early from the tour of India after picking up two separate abdominal injuries.

Cricket Australia says his earliest possible return to action would be 17 November - only eight days before the first Test against England in Brisbane.

Opener Simon Katich is in a similar postition because of a thumb injury.

Bollinger is yet to make an Ashes appearance but is tipped for a starting berth at the Gabba on the back of some fine form that has given him a Test bowling average of 23.79.

Physio Alex Kountouris said in a CA statement that a scan had cleared the New South Welshman of "any significant muscle injury".

606: DEBATE I don't know why anyone would think Bollinger will miss out, he seems a certainty to start rickyp

He added the left-arm seamer was "likely to be available for selection for the Sheffield Shield game against Tasmania starting 17 November, in advance of the first Test".

Left-handed batsman Katich has been advised to take a short break from batting before returning to training after damaging a thumb ligament. He is scheduled to return for New South Wales on 10 November.

Meanwhile, wicketkeeper Brad Haddin is set for a return on Sunday in Australia's Twenty20 game against Sri Lanka along with fast bowler Peter Siddle, who has been sidelined with a back injury.

Haddin had been suffering from an elbow problem.

Fast bowler Ryan Harris, who is on the long list of Test possibles, is "making good progress with his rehabilitation from the knee surgery" he underwent in July.

He is on target to return to Sheffield Shield action for Queensland on either 10 or 17 November.

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