Bryan's Big Break (11 April 1999)

11 April 1999

Bryan's Big Break

Haydn Gill

Hendy Bryan makes his international debut for West Indies in the first Cable & Wireless One-Day International against Australia at the Arnos Vale Playing Field today.

But a knee injury has ruled ace fast bowler Curtly Ambrose out of the match, from which Australian pacer Glenn McGrath will also be absent.

The 29-year-old Bryan, a deceptively sharp medium-fast bowler who gains nice movement off the pitch and a powerful lower-order batsman, joins a pace attack made up of veteran Courtney Walsh and Mervyn Dillon.

With the unavailability of Ambrose and wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs, the West Indies had 13 players to choose from, and off-spinner Nehemiah Perry and fast bowler Reon King were omitted.

As a result of Jacobs' nose surgery, Jimmy Adams will keep wicket in a One-Day International for the first time since the 1996 World Cup.

Sherwin Campbell, whose last One-Day International dates back to late 1997, is certain to be sent in first with the returning Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

As a result, Stuart Williams, who has a century and 12 other scores of more than 50 at this level, is to be accommodated in the middle-order, as against England last year.

Chairman of selectors Mike Findlay acknowledged that Campbell had not been considered in recent times for One-Day games because his style of cricket wasn't suited to limited-overs cricket.

"As you examine the problem we have with openers, we thought we needed someone - even though he is not a fast scorer - who can add some solidity to the opening position," Findlay said.

Australian captain Steve Waugh confirmed yesterday morning that McGrath, who took 30 wickets in the Test series, would be rested today.

The tourists were forced to make a late change to their squad after medium-pacer Adam Dale came down with pneumonia and had to be hospitalised in Antigua. He has been replaced by medium-pacer Andy Bichel.

West Indies - Brian Lara (captain), Sherwin Campbell, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Carl Hooper, Stuart Williams, Keith Arthurton, Jimmy Adams, Phil Simmons, Hendy Bryan, Mervyn Dillon, Courtney Walsh; reserves: Nehemiah Perry, Reon King.

Australia (from) - Steve Waugh (captain), Mark Waugh, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Darren Lehmann, Damien Martyn, Michael Bevan, Tom Moody, Shane Lee, Brendon Julian, Shane Warne, Paul Reiffel, Damien Fleming, Andy Bichel.

Umpires: Eddie Nicholls (Guyana), Billy Doctrove (Dominica).

Match referee: Raman Subba Row.

Start: 9:35 a.m.

Source :: The Barbados Nation (https://www.nationnews.com/)