Stewart and Atherton fit (6 November 1998)

6 November 1998

Stewart and Atherton fit

AFP

Captain Alec Stewart and opener Michael Atherton are fit again for England after early tour setbacks for the four-day cricket match against South Australia starting here Saturday. The experienced pair missed England's drawn four-day game against Western Australia in Perth last week, Stewart troubled by back stiffness and Atherton an injured hip. Atherton's opening partner Mark Butcher was included in the side to play South Australia at Adelaide Oval despite being struck a nasty blow above the right eye against Western Australia. Butcher had 10 stitches to close the wound and returned to the nets Thursday while a slight virus will not stop middle order batsman Mark Ramprakash from playing against Greg Blewett's South Australians. England also named rookie paceman Alex Tudor for a battle of the quick s against South Australian duo Jason Gillespie and Mark Harrity.

"It's a good opportunity for him, he was brought for the experience but he's not going to be on the sidelines all the time," England team manager Graham Gooch said of Tudor. "We've been impressed by his attitude, he's bowled well at the nets and the whole thing is a learning experience for him." The tourists have rested fast bowlers Darren Gough and Alan Mullally, while Ben Hollioake has not fully recovered from a groin strain.

Teams: England - Alec Stewart (captain), Nasser Hussain, Mark Butcher, Michael Atherton, Graham Thorpe, Mark Ramprakash, Dominic Cork, Alex Tudor, Dean Headley, Angus Fraser, Peter Such. (No designated 12th man).

South Australia - Greg Blewett (captain), Tim Nielsen, Nathan Adcock, Evan Arnold, Andrew Crook, Chris Davies, Andrew Eime, Martin Faull, Jason Gillespie, Mark Harrity, Ben Johnson, Geoff Parker (12th man to be named).