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Australia names unchanged squad for second Test
Brisbane, Dec 08: Australia today named an unchanged squad of 12 for the second cricket Test against India at the Adelaide oval starting on Friday.
Brisbane, Dec 08: Australia today named an unchanged squad of 12 for the second cricket Test against India at the Adelaide oval starting on Friday.
But there is every chance that paceman Brad Williams will earn a recall to the playing 11 despite his outspoken comments when he was named 12th man for the drawn Gabba Test.
Left-armer Nathan Bracken was picked ahead of Williams who had played one Test against Zimbabwe in October. Bracken finished with three wickets for the Test and was on a hat-trick in the second innings.
Right-armer Williams later complained he was not picked because he "bowled with the wrong arm".
Selection panel chairman Trevor Hohns said Williams had been forgiven for his "throw away" line.
With Andy Bichel having his worst Test for Australia, taking 1-130 in India's first innings, there's every chance Australia will look to Williams for the venom that is missing through the injury-absence of Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath.
While admitting Australia's attack under-performed against India, Hohns said Lee was not quite ready to play a test after returning to one-day action for his state New South Wales last Sunday.
"It was very encouraging to see Brett Lee back playing cup cricket, that's certainly a positive step in his recovery, however the preference of the selectors and the medical staff is to see him get some more cricket under his belt before considering him for the Test side," Hohns said today.
McGrath is also on the comeback from injury but is unlikely to ready for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
Australian captain Steve Waugh defended his bowlers in this match despite India piling on 409 against the world champions - Australia's first opening-innings deficit in a home Test match in 23 Tests.
Waugh said India had the best of the conditions and that his bowlers gave "100 per cent" in difficult circumstances.
Australia: Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting (vice captain), Stephen Waugh (captain), Damien Martyn, Simon Katich, Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Bichel, Jason Gillespie, Stuart MacGill, Nathan Bracken, Brad Williams. Bureau Report
Left-armer Nathan Bracken was picked ahead of Williams who had played one Test against Zimbabwe in October. Bracken finished with three wickets for the Test and was on a hat-trick in the second innings.
Right-armer Williams later complained he was not picked because he "bowled with the wrong arm".
Selection panel chairman Trevor Hohns said Williams had been forgiven for his "throw away" line.
With Andy Bichel having his worst Test for Australia, taking 1-130 in India's first innings, there's every chance Australia will look to Williams for the venom that is missing through the injury-absence of Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath.
While admitting Australia's attack under-performed against India, Hohns said Lee was not quite ready to play a test after returning to one-day action for his state New South Wales last Sunday.
"It was very encouraging to see Brett Lee back playing cup cricket, that's certainly a positive step in his recovery, however the preference of the selectors and the medical staff is to see him get some more cricket under his belt before considering him for the Test side," Hohns said today.
McGrath is also on the comeback from injury but is unlikely to ready for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
Australian captain Steve Waugh defended his bowlers in this match despite India piling on 409 against the world champions - Australia's first opening-innings deficit in a home Test match in 23 Tests.
Waugh said India had the best of the conditions and that his bowlers gave "100 per cent" in difficult circumstances.
Australia: Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting (vice captain), Stephen Waugh (captain), Damien Martyn, Simon Katich, Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Bichel, Jason Gillespie, Stuart MacGill, Nathan Bracken, Brad Williams. Bureau Report