The West Indies Tour

[Donny]

Waugh Wants Number One Ranking Back with Windies Victory
Reuters - 31 March 2003


Australia's demotion to number two on the ICC Test rankings would serve as extra motivation in their four-Test series against the West Indies, Test captain Steve Waugh said on Monday.

"Unless we win this series we will remain the number two side so there is a lot to play for," Waugh told reporters at Sydney airport.

"I've thought about it a few times. I know the other guys probably haven't as yet but once we get over to the West Indies that will be one of the motivating factors."

Australia drew 2-2 four years in the Caribbean in Waugh's first series as captain but embarrassed the tourists 5-0 in Australia in 2000-01.

"People expect us just to turn up and beat the West Indies - it is not going to be the case. It is a tough tour to be on, but enjoyable," said Waugh, who equalled Allan Border's world record of 156 Test appearances in the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney in January.

Batsman Damien Martyn, who broke his finger at the World Cup and is remaining in Perth for treatment, is the only real injury concern after fast bowler Jason Gillespie, who was sent home from the World Cup with a heel complaint, bowled in the nets last week and declared himself fit.

The first Test starts in Guyana on April 10.

[Donny]

Brad Williams will temporarily replace Glen McGrath in the West Indies touring squad.

The four-test series starts on April 10 in Guyana. Fast bowler Williams will leave Brisbane on Thursday and is expected to join the squad on Sunday, the ACB said.

"It is an unfortunate situation confronting the McGrath family and it was important for Glenn to return home to be with his wife Jane," Australia chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said in the ACB statement.

"With (batsman) Damien Martyn (who has a broken finger) joining the squad later in the tour and (opening bowler) Jason Gillespie's recent recovery from a heel problem, we felt it was necessary to call in another player to boost the bowling stocks."

Australia are already without Test cricket's second-leading wicket-taker after leg-spinner Shane Warne, who has taken 491 wickets, received a 12-month doping suspension in February.

McGrath is Australia's second-leading wicket-taker with 422 victims at an average of 21.45 from 91 tests. The lanky paceman was expected to be Australia's key weapon in dismissing West Indies captain Brian Lara cheaply.

"Obviously I'm pleased to be given the chance to head across to the West Indies and will do my best to help Australia, but certainly our thoughts are with the McGraths at the moment," said Williams, 28, who has played six one-day internationals.

[Donny]

Damien Martyn ruled out of Travelex Test series against the West Indies
Australian Cricket Board - 3 April 2003


The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) announced today that batsman Damien Martyn has been ruled out of the Travelex Test series against the West Indies due to a fractured right index finger.

A replacement for the West Australian is expected to be named by the National Selection Panel in the coming days.

Martyn, who consulted a hand specialist in Perth earlier today (3 April) learned that the fracture, sustained during Australia's World Cup match against Kenya on 15 March, had shifted in position.

He is not expected to commence batting for another four weeks before being reviewed ahead of the one-day international leg of the tour.

Australian Team Physiotherapist Errol Alcott said advice received from Martyn's medical examination indicated that he would require more time for the fracture to heel than first anticipated.

"We have been advised that the fracture in Damien's finger has shifted, meaning that it is not yet stable enough to withstand the rigours of international cricket," Alcott said.

"He has limited movement in the finger, meaning he certainly would not be available for this Test series.

"The fracture will need protection for up to four weeks, after which we are hopeful the heeling process has taken hold and he is fit enough to be available for one-day international selection," he said.

[Donny]

Posted by Black_White in General Discussion.

Waugh expects lift from Lara
April 5 2003
By Trevor Marshallsea
Georgetown, Guyana

Steve Waugh has admitted to surprise that the West Indies changed their captain ahead of the Test series starting here on Thursday, but is not outwardly entertaining thoughts that the apparent instability will work in Australia's favour.

Brian Lara's reinstatement as captain over Carl Hooper caught many in the cricketing world off guard, despite the fact that Hooper had won only four Tests from 22 in charge.

Waugh, as the most successful captain in Test history, is well placed to assess the impact on the West Indies of the return to the leadership of Lara, who scored six victories in a tumultuous 18-match run as captain that ended with his resignation early in 2000.

But Waugh played it straight in commenting on Lara's reappointment, saying he expected the brilliant left-hander to captain his young side well, and to present as large a challenge as usual with the bat.

But Waugh left room to assume that Hooper would be reminded of his dumping in the mental games that will unfold in the four-Test series. It is expected the 36-year-old will continue to play, despite expressing thoughts of retiring after his sacking earlier this week.


"I was surprised, I must admit," Waugh said of the change, before adding that Lara would make a formidable captain. "He did a pretty good job last time against us. For a series against Australia, he'll lift and no doubt he's a smart captain.

"He's got good ideas about cricket and he knows what he's doing. He's got the experience, so probably when you look at it it's not a huge surprise, but I thought Carl Hooper was doing a fair job, so he'll be disappointed."

Lara's last captaincy stint certainly did not dim his batting prowess, with the Trinidadian averaging 50.13, slightly higher than his overall mark. That period included his staggering deeds to almost single-handedly frustrate Australia to a 2-2 draw in the last series here between these two countries in 1999.

Waugh is expecting more of the same from the 33-year-old this time, saying Lara always lifts his performance against Australia. "His batting was phenomenal last series and I think that carried the side," he said. "He's a quality player and we've got to give him our full attention when we bowl to him."

Waugh said he was also not overly concerned at not having Glenn McGrath to fire at Lara while the paceman remains in Australia with his ill wife, despite the fact McGrath has dismissed Lara twice as many times - 13 - as any other bowler.

"We're not going to focus too much on Brian anyway but we've got quality bowlers and Brett Lee is bowling as well as anyone in the world at the moment," Waugh said.

"Andy Bichel has had a great World Cup. There's plenty of other options so I'm not overly worried about Glenn McGrath not bowling to Brian Lara. It's a chance for someone else to get him out."

Meanwhile, Waugh is not expecting Adam Gilchrist's now famous gesture of walking during Australia's World Cup semi-final against Sri Lanka to start a trend among his side, saying such a decision would be down to individual choice.

New West Indies vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan is in doubt for the first Test because of an injured left middle finger. Local reports said Sarwan would be guided by the advice of his doctor.

[Donny]

Posted by Black_White in General Discussion.

Security beefed up in Guyana
April 5 2003
By Trevor Marshallsea
Georgetown, Guyana

Guyana's cricket authorities have announced a security crackdown around Australia's two matches in its capital Georgetown, scene of wild crowd disturbances during the last visit of Steve Waugh's side.

The Guyana Cricket Board's security chief, Conrad Plummer, has listed several new measures to guard against crowd trouble in Georgetown, where a pitch invasion led to a one-day match being declared a tie during Australia's 1999 tour.

Plummer said security checks on spectators attending Australia's three-day match against a GCB chairman's XI from tonight, and the first Test here from Thursday, would be increased to unprecedented levels. Any potential weapons would be seized, as would fireworks and other incendiary devices, glass bottles and cans.

Streets immediately surrounding the two match venues would also be closed by police, Plummer said. According to local newspaper reports, Plummer has also appealed to spectators to "contain themselves" regardless of "how worked up they get".

Waugh, an outspoken critic of security measures here on the 1999 tour, appeared to welcome the measures.


"As a general rule you'd like to see good security at the grounds. We had one or two problems on the last tour, but I don't expect it to happen again," he said.

[couragous cloke]

so donny, do ya actually think the westindies can steal a test or two?? i think its very possible. but the westindies problem is, CAN THEY TAKE 20 wickets in 5 days, the answear is (unfortunatly) NO!! im finding it hard to believe that our bowling attack can take 20 australian wickets. what do ya think donny? does my beloved team have a chance? whats your opinion? i think we have a good enough batting line up to put the runs on the board but after that its gunna be tough.

[HAL]

Ummmm. . . You believe that? But its unlikely? Opinion on what issue?

[couragous cloke]

BIG NEWS, chris gayle the big left handed opener has been pulled out of the west indies line up due to some crap about not having the licence or some shit. anyway, thats a big blow to the westindies. he could have been the key besides lara.

[HAL]

I suppose it is rather large. I am sure he could.

[Donny]

Jimmy Maher to join Test squad in the West Indies
Australian Cricket Board - 13 April 2003


The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) announced today that the National Selection Panel (NSP) has chosen Queensland Bulls captain Jimmy Maher to join the Australian Test squad on the Travelex Tour of the West Indies.

Maher, Australia's reserve wicket-keeper at the 2003 International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup has been selected to cover for Adam Gilchrist during Australia's three-day tour match against a University of West Indies XI in Barbados, beginning on 26 April.

It will be the first match Gilchrist has missed since Australia's victory over Holland in a World Cup preliminary match on 20 February.

NSP Chairman Trevor Hohns said given Maher's likely selection in the 15-man squad for Australia's seven one-day internationals beginning on 17 May, it made sense to choose a player who would be with the side for the remainder of the tour.

"Jimmy will more than likely be part of our one-day squad in the West Indies simply on his batting alone, so it is important that we continue to give him added `keeping experience if he is to continue covering adequately for Adam Gilchrist on tour," Hohns said.

"We are not necessarily saying that Jimmy is the country's second-best wicket-keeping option, but for this match we would rather introduce a player who is going to be with the team for the duration of the trip, rather than fly someone across for a few days.

"As for Adam Gilchrist, it is important that we continue to monitor his workload and give him time-off where possible.

"He has had a long campaign and doesn't get many opportunities to rest, so we need to be conscious that he doesn't get over-worked and end up suffering from fatigue," he said.

Maher's inclusion in the Test squad means that he will relinquish his Australia A captaincy duties for the remainder of its series against South Africa A. He will depart Adelaide for Brisbane today.

New South Wales Blues batsman Simon Katich will stand in as captain.

[Donny]

Recalled Windies opener, Chris Gayle sent an early warning to the Aussies ahead of the third Test with an excellent century for the University of West Indies Vice Chancellor's XI.

He scored 129 before falling to Stuart MacGill. Jason Haynes (now there's a name from the past! May be Desmond's son. I'll check) scored 58.

They were 1/200 and then lost 9/90 to be dismissed for 290.

If Australia are only going in to the Test with one spinner, MacGilla took the points in the 'bowl-off' with Brad Hogg. He took 5/40 against Hoggy's 3/94. McGrath took 2/41.

At stumps the Aussies are 0/61 with Langer and Maher both on 28.

[HAL]

Ah. . . I see that they were. . . .

[Donny]

Langer (95) and Maher (142) certainly went on with the job and with a quick 48 from Waugh, the tourists declared on 5/358 and have the uni team 2/33.

Gayle was run out for a duck and Haynes was bowled by Williams.

[couragous cloke]

aussies should win it, langer seems to be in good form. Jimmy couldnt possibly get a spot in the team could he?

[Donny]

Not really a contender, m8, but didn't do his overall career prospects any harm.

He was only brought over early - he's in the ODI squad - to keep wicket in this match.