Basketball: Injuries hobble Breakers’ campaign in Australia

The Breakers have further injury woes as they go into a tough weekend with an away game to the West Sydney Razorbacks then a meeting with title favourites Brisbane at Trusts Stadium on Sunday.

Back-up centre Tim Behrendorff will not play the Razors after a groin injury he has carried for the past fortnight flared up yesterday. The team are hopeful he will be back against Brisbane once rested but that remains doubtful.

A.J. Majstrovich must pass a fitness test on the knee tendon he tore two weeks ago. He suffers pain when pushing off to start running and when jumping, though is apparently at no risk of further aggravating the injury if he does play.

Rich Melzer reopened the cut on his knee when he played against Adelaide last weekend and there is concern about infection. He has taken limited part in training but is expected to be pressed to play because of the injury problems and their need to score.

The team have been staying at Coogee Beach in Sydney and spirits remain high despite their two losses so far on this away trip.

Meanwhile, the ANBL has opened voting for the players to make the All Stars game scheduled for December 7 in Sydney.

Fans can vote online at www.nbl.com.au and their selections will determine the starting five of the Aussie All Stars and the World All Stars, which will include New Zealanders. The coach whose team is leading the NBL after round 12 in two weeks will coach Australia and the coach of the second-placed team gets the World side.