Stuart MacGill left out
Wednesday, June 9 2004
Following his decision to pull out of Zimbabwe on moral grounds, Australian leg spinner Stuart MacGill has been omitted from Australia's 13 man squad to play Sri Lanka in Cairns and Darwin in two Tests beginning on July 1.
His spot was taken by talented South Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait, 21, who was named as cover to Brad Williams who returned back to Australia last month from Zimbabwe with a injured back. As expected, Glenn McGrath was named in the Australian squad. There was however, no place for Victorian leg spinner Cameron White, who went to Zimbabwe as a replacement when MacGill pulled out.
With Sri Lankan off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan no certainty to tour Australia, Shane Warne who stands on 517 Test wickets, has the opportunity to break the record for most amount of Test wickets, which is held by Muralitharan with 527.
In all Australia named five fast bowlers, barring injury and any surprise selections, Australia's bowling line-up is likely to consist of McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz, and Warne.
The first Test will begin on July 1 in Darwin. The Sri Lankan's will play one tour match against a Northern Territory Chief Minister's XI.
Australia's Test squad:
*RT Ponting, +AC Gilchrist (vice-captain), JL Langer, ML Hayden, DR Martyn, SM Katich, SK Warne, JN Gillespie, MS Kasprowicz, GD McGrath, BA Williams, SW Tait.
Posted by Craig
Email Us
Forum
Mail Article
Print Article