Edmund sits out Cup opener

Britain's Kyle Edmund reacts during his Australian Open semi-final against Croatia's Marin Cilic. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Australian Open semi-finalist Kyle Edmund has been left out of the first day's play of Great Britain's Davis Cup tie against Spain.

Yorlkshireman Edmund struggled with a minor hip problem during his semi-final defeat to Marin Cilic, a result that halted his surprising run to the last four in Melbourne.

And although the world number 26 had expressed hope that he would still be able to lead Britain’s team in Marbella, he was not named as one of the singles players in Thursday’s draw.

GB captain Leon Smith instead opted to hand Davis Cup debuts to Liam Broady and Cameron Norrie, with world No 165 Broady taking on 21-ranked Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the opening rubber on Friday.

Norrie, who is ranked 114th, faces world number 23 Roberto Bautista Agut at Club de Tenis Puente Romano.

Jamie Murray and Dominic Inglot are set to face to Pablo Carreno Busta and Feliciano Lopez in Saturday’s doubles.

The two nations have not met in the Davis Cup since 1986, when Britain won 4-1 at the same stage of the competition in Telford.

But without Edmund and the injured Andy Murray on the home side’s favoured surface of clay, the 2015 champions face a massive task to reach the World Group quarter-finals and a clash with either Australia or Germany.