Boxing Day Test Squad

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In: Brett Lee
Out: Jason Gillespie

Australian squad for third 3-sponsored Test in Melbourne

Cricket Australia

December 21, 2003



Cricket Australia today announced that the National Selection Panel (NSP) has replaced injured fast-bowler Jason Gillespie with New South Welshman Brett Lee in the 12-man Australian squad to face India in the third 3-sponsored Test match in Melbourne, beginning on 26 December.

The squad is:


STATE AGE TESTS
Stephen Waugh (captain) NSW 38 166
Ricky Ponting (vice-captain) TAS 29 73
Andrew Bichel QLD 33 19
Nathan Bracken NSW 26 1
Adam Gilchrist WA 32 49
Matthew Hayden QLD 32 48
Simon Katich NSW 28 4
Justin Langer WA 33 69
Brett Lee NSW 27 35
Stuart MacGill NSW 32 28
Damien Martyn WA 32 37
Brad Williams WA 29 2


*A twelfth man will be announced in due course.

Lee returns to the squad having recovered from the abdominal injury he sustained during Australia's nine-wicket win in the second 3-sponsored Test against Zimbabwe in Sydney last October.

The injury forced him to withdraw from Australia's Travelex One-Day International Tour of India during which he used the recovery period to undergo elective surgery to his left ankle.

Since returning from injury, Lee has played three matches for New South Wales' SpeedBlitz Blues (two Pura Cup and one ING Cup match) where his most recent match against Tasmania in Sydney saw him claim five-wickets in the first innings.

NSP Chairman Trevor Hohns said: "Brett is an established Test player and has demonstrated that he is back to full fitness following injury.

"The two Pura Cup matches he now has under his belt have been ideal preparation for his comeback, and we were encouraged by his recent form against Tasmania in Sydney.

"Brett always adds some zest to the attack and will be supported by our other bowlers who we felt, despite the loss, served the side well in Adelaide," he said.

Jason Gillespie, who suffered a strain to his right groin during the second Test in Adelaide will travel to Melbourne to undergo treatment with Australian physiotherapist, Errol Alcott.

Brad Williams, meanwhile, who sustained a strain to his left A/C joint in Adelaide has been declared fit.

 

[Fall Out Boy]

Would have liked to have seen Nicholson given a chance. Oh well.

 

[marcuz]

We won't bowl India out twice with that attack. Gillespie is a huge loss.

 

[The Passenger]

good to see Williams is fit, which should produce some reasonable fire with the new ball.

 

[Mickey]

Originally posted by marcuz
We won't bowl India out twice with that attack. Gillespie is a huge loss.

agreed. We really do need McGrath but thats life. Lets hope the pitch is very bouncy so we can make the curry puffs a bit nervous.

 

[marcuz]

Originally posted by Mickey
agreed. We really do need McGrath but thats life. Lets hope the pitch is very bouncy so we can make the curry puffs a bit nervous.

I think that will be our saving grace. The MCG pitch for the pura cup matches seamed about early on. We maybe better off putting India in and hope we can skittle them cheaply.

Thats why Gillespie is a huge loss anytime and an even bigger loss on this pitch because of that probing line and length that he bowls.

If we went in with an attack of Warne, Lee, Gillespie and McGrath then i wouldnt hesitate in picking australia to win. Seeing as three of them aren't there then it is even money IMO

 

[corporal]

I would have thought Noftke would have been the best Mcgrath replacement considering he seems to be a nagging line & lengh bowler.

 

[red+black]

Originally posted by Black Thunder
good to see Williams is fit, which should produce some reasonable fire with the new ball.

Assuming he is picked in the 11. Whoever is picked, what chance do we really have of bowling them out twice? Will this be the first time ever that Brett Lee will stand up and put promise and potential behind and substitute it for performance.

Like to see a 7-fer in the 1st innings for Lee, and on Boxing Day to boot.

 

[Fitzy #1]

does anybody no when the aussies are training at the mcg this week??

 

[ScouseCat]

What sort of attack does everyone think we'll take into the Boxing Day test, taking into account that we will have to back up in Sydney on New Year's Day?? MacGill is a worry for me, especially if he has to do a lot of bowling in Melbourne. Last year, he was crap in the final test because he was knackered, and Australia lost to England. We can't afford any losses this time around, so why not go in with 4 pace bowlers plus Simon Katich in the Melbourne test and save MacGill for Sydney??

 

[red+black]

going by your theory, i guess you'd go:

Melbourne:
Lee
Bichel
Williams
Bracken

Sydney:
Lee
Bichel
Bracken
MacGill

can a non-fully fit Williams play back to back tests, knowing that we need to win both tests?

 

[Cooldude]

Originally posted by ScouseCat
What sort of attack does everyone think we'll take into the Boxing Day test, taking into account that we will have to back up in Sydney on New Year's Day?? MacGill is a worry for me, especially if he has to do a lot of bowling in Melbourne. Last year, he was crap in the final test because he was knackered, and Australia lost to England. We can't afford any losses this time around, so why not go in with 4 pace bowlers plus Simon Katich in the Melbourne test and save MacGill for Sydney??

I actually thought the selectors would've gone for 5 specialist bowlers, 4 paceman and a spinner and leave MAcgill with little workload, but they didn't, but yes, if Macgill's overworked and gets to the New years day test after bowling 50 odd overs in the Boxing day test, it wouldn't be ideal.

 

[CatManDo]

Originally posted by red+black
going by your theory, i guess you'd go:

Melbourne:
Lee
Bichel
Williams
Bracken

Sydney:
Lee
Bichel
Bracken
MacGill

can a non-fully fit Williams play back to back tests, knowing that we need to win both tests?

They wouldnt have picked him if he wasnt fit. They have had enough fast bowlers break down to play a silly risk with him. Given a more bowler friendly pitch in Melbourne I think we'll see the real Brad Williams stand up.

Its a tough one for Melbourne - Bracken may get the nod though, simply for his economy.