Gough and Fairbrother fit, says Stewart (8 February 1999)

8 February 1999

Gough and Fairbrother fit, says Stewart

AFP

SYDNEY, Feb 8 (AFP) - Fast bowler Darren Gough and batsman Neil Fairbrother will be fit for Wednesday's first one-day final against Australia here, England captain Alec Stewart said Monday.

Both have been out of action for a week with hamstring strains but came through an indoor net session at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday morning, he said.

"They both had a run around today, had a fielding drill and Darren Gough looked very good in the nets holding the bat so I'm sure they'll both be fit," Stewart said.

Sydney's rainy weather was likely to keep both teams indoors Tuesday and could disrupt Wednesday's final. England lost the services of all-rounder Mark Alleyne on Sunday after he rushed to Barbados following his father's death in a car accident.

England's biggest task will be to dismiss Adam Gilchrist and fellow opener Mark Waugh cheaply. Gough's return could be a boon as he and Alan Mullally have formed an excellent combination in the one-day series.

Shane Warne was confident of lifting his first trophy as Australian captain. "It will be very good to continue the form we've got into the finals but we'll just have to wait and see," he said. "I thought England started off the series very well.

"They haven't played that well in the last half but I'm sure they will be ready to fire and take something away from this tour of Australia."

England lost the Ashes Test series three-one.

Australia: (from) Adam Gilchrist, Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Darren Lehmann, Damien Martyn, Michael Bevan, Brendon Julian, Shane Lee, Shane Warne (capt), Michael Kasprowicz, Glenn McGrath, Adam Dale.

England: (from) Alec Stewart (capt), Nick Knight, Graeme Hick, Nasser Hussain, Neil Fairbrother, Adam Hollioake, Mark Ealham, Robert Croft, Darren Gough, Alan Mullally, Ashley Giles, Dean Headley.

Source :: AFP