Injury and form crisis for Australia (1 April 1999)

1 April 1999

Injury and form crisis for Australia

Rick Eyre

Licking their wounds after a one-wicket loss in the extraordinary Third Test against the West Indies, Australia are facing the prospect of at least three players being unfit for the Fourth Test, and contemplate the prospect of dropping their most successful post-war spinner.

Ian Healy looks likely to miss only his second Test in ten and a half years as injuries to both calf muscles affect his mobility. His performance in this series has been far below what would normally be expected of him. A crucial drop of an edge off Lara late in the game on Tuesday will haunt him as much as the missed stumping off Inzamam ul-Haq that gave Pakistan victory at Karachi in 1994. Adam Gilchrist, probably the most successful wicketkeeper-batsman in ODI cricket today, has been summoned to the WI on standby and is expected to make his debut on Saturday. Although an opening bat in one-dayers, he would most likely bat at seven if he does take his place in the side.

Healy is wearing surgical stockings and special cushioning in his shoes to ease the pain. Three times in the past Gilchrist has been put on standby when Healy's was in doubt - each time Healy pulled through.

Jason Gillespie is also in serious doubt for the Fourth Test after suffering back spasms during the last day at Bridgetown. He felt back pain when his foot slipped while he bowling a short ball. Adam Dale, who has bowled superbly in the tour matches, will take his place if he is ruled out.

Matthew Elliott is also reported to be experiencing back trouble - this however will only save him the indignity of otherwise being dropped for bad form. Greg Blewett, who missed the Bridgetown Test due to a bruised thumb, will probably open the batting in place of Elliott.

The one other change that is on the cards for the Australian team is the dropping of tour vice-captain Shane Warne. Struggling to regain form ever since his shoulder operation last off-season, Warne has taken 2 wickets at 134.00 in the series so far. By comparison, Stuart MacGill has claimed 7 victims at 31.42. With both leggies struggling against the wrath of Lara, it is not beyond possibility that both will be left out at St John's, Antigua, though Gillespie's injury reduces the options for the Australian selectors. Either way it seems certain that utility paceman/offie Colin Miller will get a run.

For the West Indies, Jamaican batsman Wavell Hinds has been brought into the thirteen-man squad in place of the injured Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who has missed the entire series because of shoulder trouble. It is unlikely, however, that Hinds will make the starting eleven. The only change that the West Indies could be expected to make to their winning side would be to introduce quickie Corey Collymore at the expense of either Pedro Collins or Nehemiah Perry.

Our predictions of the starting lineups for the Fourth Test:

Australia - Slater, Blewett, Langer, Waugh M, Waugh S, Ponting, Gilchrist, Dale, Miller, McGrath, MacGill.

West Indies - Campbell, Griffith, Joseph, Lara, Hooper, Adams, Jacobs, Collins, Perry or Collymore, Ambrose, Walsh.

Source :: CricInfo365