Waugh expected to be fit for first Orange Test despite missing Pura Cup match

Australian captain Stephen Waugh is expected to be fit for the first Orange Test match against New Zealand starting at The Gabba on 8 November, despite sitting out the New South Wales Blues' Pura Cup match against the Southern Redbacks that begins at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday 26 October.

Waugh will miss the Pura Cup game to work on strengthening his left calf muscle following the injury he suffered to it during the Travelex UK tour and subsequent Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).

This should ensure he is fully fit by the time the Australian squad assembles in Brisbane on 5 November, ahead of the first Orange Test match.

Before the Brisbane Test he will play a club game for his grade side, Bankstown, against Liverpool-Fairfield on 3 and 4 November at Bankstown Oval.

The decision for Waugh to miss the Pura Cup match was taken after he consulted with Australian team physiotherapist Errol Alcott and Patrick Farhart, the New South Wales Blues' physiotherapist.

Stephen Waugh said: "The recent problem I've had has meant I've not been able to work on getting the strength back into my calf muscle so a few extra days to do just that will be really beneficial.

"It is not a major issue and I'm confident there will be no problem with me being in Brisbane for the first Orange Test of the summer," added Waugh.

Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said: "Stephen's absence from the Pura Cup match is a precautionary measure.

"Under normal circumstances we would prefer a player to have some first-class cricket under his belt going into a series.

"But this decision means we can make sure Stephen is fully fit for the start of the international season and what lies ahead, with six Orange Test matches, a VB Series of one-day internationals and a Test and one-day tour of South Africa and Zimbabwe to come."

The squad for the Test at The Gabba will be announced on 2 November and will arrive in Brisbane on 5 November. Arrival and training details will be released in due course.

Tickets are still available for the first Orange Test match through Ticketmaster7 on 13 61 22.