Doug Bollinger cleared of serious injury and expected to be fit for Ashes series

Scans have cleared Doug Bollinger of serious injury and he is expected to prove his fitness for the Ashes in a Sheffield Shield match for NSW next month, saving Cricket Australia further embarrassment.

Bollinger and Mike Hussey, who is battling to save his Test career, were both forced to play for their IPL team Chennai Super Kings in the Champions League Twenty20 extravaganza in South Africa in September instead of preparing for the two-Test series in India.

"Doug Bollinger returned from India with a stomach muscle strain," Kountouris said.

"He will commence bowling next week and is likely to be available for selection in the Sheffield Shield game for NSW against Tasmania starting on November 17."

Kountouris said Queensland fast bowler Ryan Harris, who had major knee surgery in July after a breakthrough summer for Australia, was also on track to play in the Sheffield Shield before the first Test.

Simon Katich will miss the Blues next Sheffield Shield match, against Queensland at the Gabba, because of ligament damage to a thumb in India that hindered him in both Tests.

James Hopes will captain Queensland in the Ryobi Cup one-day match against NSW at the Gabba and play in next week's Sheffield Shield match after being overlooked for the short one-day series against Sri Lanka.