carntheroos4eva
6 Feb 2006, 13:49
Who do you think will replace Glenn McGrath after he has withdrawn from the finals of the VB series?
Selectors ponder McGrath replacement
Australian cricket selectors will decide today whether to replace fast bowler Glenn McGrath, who will miss the one-day series finals which start on Friday in Adelaide.
McGrath has pulled out of the remainder of the series to support his wife Jane who has been diagnosed with cancer for the third time.
Without McGrath Australia still has a 13-man squad but coach John Buchanan said there were bowlers outside that group that would come under consideration.
"From a selector's point of view, that is what they are casting their mind over now," Buchanan said.
"Looking to games ahead, whether that is the finals series or whether it is beyond that into South Africa ... that is something I know they are wrestling with at the moment."
But Buchanan said it was not easy covering for a player of McGrath's calibre.
"Right at this moment that's something that is crossing everybody's mind," he said.
"I suppose our first thoughts are still with Glenn and his family in terms of what they are going through, but in terms of the reality of cricket, it is an interesting question that we are going to have to face sooner rather than later."
Australia's finals series opponent will be decided tomorrow with South Africa taking on Sri Lanka in Hobart.
Buchanan said there was still room for improvement in the one-day side despite yesterday's 57-run win over South Africa in Sydney.
The home side set up victory by posting an imposing total of 6 for 344 off its 50 overs.
Buchanan said the fact that South Africa was able to score 287 runs in reply showed that the Australian bowling attack still has some work to do ahead of the finals.
"There are some pretty powerful hitters in the game and if you don't quite get it right you tend to see the ball being caught by spectators rather than your own fieldsman," he said.
"It is an area that we've been concerned about for a period of time and we continue to deal with that. I think the bowlers we have at the moment have the capacity to do that."
http://www.abc.net.au/cricket
Selectors ponder McGrath replacement
Australian cricket selectors will decide today whether to replace fast bowler Glenn McGrath, who will miss the one-day series finals which start on Friday in Adelaide.
McGrath has pulled out of the remainder of the series to support his wife Jane who has been diagnosed with cancer for the third time.
Without McGrath Australia still has a 13-man squad but coach John Buchanan said there were bowlers outside that group that would come under consideration.
"From a selector's point of view, that is what they are casting their mind over now," Buchanan said.
"Looking to games ahead, whether that is the finals series or whether it is beyond that into South Africa ... that is something I know they are wrestling with at the moment."
But Buchanan said it was not easy covering for a player of McGrath's calibre.
"Right at this moment that's something that is crossing everybody's mind," he said.
"I suppose our first thoughts are still with Glenn and his family in terms of what they are going through, but in terms of the reality of cricket, it is an interesting question that we are going to have to face sooner rather than later."
Australia's finals series opponent will be decided tomorrow with South Africa taking on Sri Lanka in Hobart.
Buchanan said there was still room for improvement in the one-day side despite yesterday's 57-run win over South Africa in Sydney.
The home side set up victory by posting an imposing total of 6 for 344 off its 50 overs.
Buchanan said the fact that South Africa was able to score 287 runs in reply showed that the Australian bowling attack still has some work to do ahead of the finals.
"There are some pretty powerful hitters in the game and if you don't quite get it right you tend to see the ball being caught by spectators rather than your own fieldsman," he said.
"It is an area that we've been concerned about for a period of time and we continue to deal with that. I think the bowlers we have at the moment have the capacity to do that."
http://www.abc.net.au/cricket