Warne to lead Australia in first 2 one-dayers (7 January 1999)

7 January 1999

Warne to lead Australia in first 2 one-dayers

By Elmo Rodrigopulle

MELBOURNE, Australia, Wednesday - Shocking. That was the reaction of many Australians when they heard that Shane Warne would lead the team in the absence of Steve Waugh who will miss the first two games against England and Sri Lanka in the Carlton and United one-day series beginning on Sunday.

Warne, who along with Mark Waugh, shamed Australia by accepting a gratification from an Indian bookie for providing information on the 1992 tour of Sri Lanka and who made his comeback against England in the final Test has thus been given a vote of confidence not only by the selectors, but also the Australian Cricket Board.

When the news broke out that Warne and Waugh were guilty of bribery, all of Australians shook and the cry was to suspend or ban the guilty.

Now that the selection panel comprising Alan Border, Trevor Horns and Andrew Hilditch recommended Warne to substitute for the injured Steve Waugh, and accepted by the 14-member ACB, Warne will strongly challenge for the Aussie captaincy if and when Mark Taylor steps down.

Warne who underwent surgery to his bowling arm, missed the first four Tests against England and came back only for the final Test and was only a shadow of his former self. He was put to second best by Stuart McGill who had a haul of 12 wickets.

According to many Australians McGill should have been in the one-day squad and not Warne. But selectors the world over act in mysterious ways and it is no different in Australia.

The Australian 14 announced is Stephen Waugh (Capt), Shane Warne (vc), Michael Bevan, Greg Blewett, Adam Dale, Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist, Brendon Julian, Darren Lehmann, Glen McGrath, Damien Flemming, Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh and Brad Young.

Martyn, Young, Bewett and Dale played against the Sri Lankans in the two practice games for the Australian 'A' in Perth and Adelaide.

Blewett's return has been acclaimed in all quarters here. He has been in marvellous form with the bat and would have been an automatic choice for Australia against England had it not been for Justin Langer who was batting well in the number one slot.

Captain elect Steve Waugh is suffering from a hamstring injury and will miss the one-day matches against England in Brisbane on Sunday and Sri Lanka in Sydney on Wednesday.

Meanwhile the Sri Lankan cricketers who seem to be getting their one-day act together after their victory against Australia 'A' in the second game in Adelaide arrived in Melbourne this morning and wasted no time in getting to the nets at the MCG.

Every member is fit and well with no injury problems and this is heartwarming news to The Management.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)