MELBOURNE, Dec 28: Seasoned Australian opener Justin Langer is on course to play in next week’s third cricket Test against South Africa in Sydney, Cricket Australia said Wednesday.

Langer was forced out of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne with a hamstring injury, but returned to batting practice here Wednesday after physio treatment.

It was the first time the 35-year-old left-hander had batted since he strained his left hamstring in the first Perth Test 10 days ago.

Langer has been in Melbourne since Christmas, undergoing treatment with Australian team physiotherapist Errol Alcott to be fit for the last domestic Test of the southern summer.

“He’s been progressing well and has been doing a bit of running and a lot of strength work and he’ll continue to work over the next couple of days,” a Cricket Australia spokesman said.

“A decision on his availability for Sydney will be made at the end of the week.”—AFP