Injury and form crisis for Australia (1 April 1999)
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
01-Apr-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