VB Series squad named

[Donny]

Thirteen-man Australian squad for first four VB Series matches

Cricket Australia

Cricket Australia today announced that the National Selection Panel (NSP) has chosen the following squad for the first four VB Series matches against India and Zimbabwe.

The squad is:


PLAYER - STATE - AGE - MATCHES

Ricky Ponting (captain) TAS 29 185
Adam Gilchrist (vice-captain) WA 32 177
Michael Bevan NSW 33 220
Andrew Bichel QLD 33 61
Nathan Bracken NSW 26 17
Michael Clarke NSW 22 10
Jason Gillespie SA 28 57
Ian Harvey VIC 31 61
Matthew Hayden QLD 32 80
Brad Hogg WA 32 38
Brett Lee NSW 27 73
Damien Martyn WA 32 133
Andrew Symonds QLD 28 80


Commenting on the squad, NSP Chairman Trevor Hohns said: "We have opted to go with a 13-man squad for the first four matches as it should provide us with sufficient depth during that period. However, we will monitor this position throughout the series as required," said Hohns.

"Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee who missed the recent one-day series in India have been re-called to the squad following injury.

"That's hard on Brad Williams and Michael Kasprowicz who performed so well in India, but we only have room for so many fast bowlers in the squad.

"Brad and Michael's performances in India were very good and noted by selectors, but it's now up to those in the squad to take their opportunity."

This summer's VB Series begins with a day-night match between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday 9 January.

The VB Series, this summer contested by Australia, India and Zimbabwe, involves 12 qualifying matches with each team playing the other two sides four times each.

Following the qualifying matches the top two sides will then contest a best-of-three finals series with matches in Melbourne (Friday 6 February), Sydney (Sunday 8 February) and, if required, Brisbane (Tuesday 10 February).

[couragous cloke]

Nathan Braken?? why is he Continually getting chances? he doesnt even have a very good first class record.

[Donny]

But he does have a good ODI record.

So does Williams but he didn't make it and Lee did. The Indians must be grinning with anticipation.

[sam.]

Who's going on Friday??

I am !!

[JLC]

You must remember Lee was one of the highest wicket takers in one day cricket and had a pretty good world cup. Bracken had a pretty good one day series in India and if i recall made Shewag his bunny.

Sometimes test and one day form can become clouded.

Its not a bad team but im sure India will be out to atone for the World Cup and im sure VVS Laxman wants to prove that he should have been in Indias world cup squad.

jlc

[Donny]

It's this simple.

Bracken and Williams were standouts in the most recent ODIs against India and Lee is becoming more expensive every time he bowls.

Australia have again picked Lee on hope and not form and left out Williams who fully deserves a place in the squad.

[JLC]

Brett Lee was basically the highest wicket taker in one day cricket last year. It would be a tough call to leave him out.

jlc

[Donny]

So, what's the problem with a tough call ?

Surely, you remember how Mark and then Steve Waugh lost their place ?

Lee is a liability.

[JLC]

Ok lets wait and see how he goes.

The question is what has Lee done wrong in one day cricket ??

jlc

[The Prototype]

Right now, he has to stop bowling no ball, after no ball, which is one day cricket is going to hurt Australia if he bowls as many in the one dayers as he did in the Test Match.

[JLC]

Gilchrist may be out injured from this weeks game.

His replacement......who else but Brad Haddin from NSW

jlc

[Donny]

Bracken hit by injury

Fox Sports

AUSTRALIA'S fast bowling stocks suffered another blow today with Nathan Bracken ruled out of Friday's opening triangular series one-dayer against India because of a hip injury.


Bracken, 26, strained a muscle in his left hip while fielding during the drawn fourth Test against India which finished in Sydney yesterday.

West Australian paceman Brad Williams, who was 12th man in the Sydney Test, will replace left-armer Bracken in Australia's 13-man squad for their opening matches of the one-day series.

World champions Australia host beaten World Cup finalists India in Melbourne on Friday, before Australia plays Zimbabwe in Sydney on Sunday.

"It is not a major injury and we are confident that he will improve quickly," Australia physiotherapist Errol Alcott said.

Bracken said: "Obviously I am disappointed ... I am hopeful that the injury can heal quickly."

Pacemen Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie missed part of the four-match Test series because of ankle and groin injuries respectively, while leading fast bowler Glenn McGrath has been sidelined following ankle surgery.

Australia are also without leading wicket-taker Shane Warne after the leg spinner was handed a 12-month doping ban in February 2003.