Hastings hopes for extended run of fitness

Australia fast bowler John Hastings is pleased to be back in the international fold after four months on the sidelines with an ankle injury, and hopes to take his chance in the wake of injuries to other players.

Hastings took two wickets in his side's win in the third ODI against Sri Lanka on Sunday, having recovered from ankle surgery that saw him out of action since April.

Now with Nathan Coulter-Nile ruled out with a lower back stress fracture, it leaves room for 'Duke' to stake his claim on a spot in the side.

Hastings said after the match: "I've done a lot of hard work over this last four or five months and haven't played since the IPL.

"I felt a bit sore two weeks into the IPL and had a stress fracture in my left ankle and it was going to be the same recovery time.

"So the doctors thought it would be a good idea to get in there and shave a couple of spurs off the front of the ankle.

"It wasn't a major operation but it was enough for me to be out for a little while.

"Then everything was going really well up at the (Bupa National Cricket Centre in Brisbane), I've been up there for the last month or so just training and doing everything I can possibly do to get back.

"So when there was a lot of injuries (to other seamers) and there was a bit of chatter about it, we came to the conclusion that it would be a good idea to have a crack at it so I was happy that was the case and here I am.

"There was a lot of faith shown by the selectors and the medical staff in me, pretty much saying I was ready to go, so I'm very thankful for that.

"There’s been a lot of hard work behind the scenes in getting my body ready and getting back out there, so hopefully it can stand up for a little while longer yet."