Taylor speaks for Bevan

28 November 1996


BRISBANE, Australia, Wednesday - Australian skipper Mark Taylor spoke up for under-pressure teammate Michael Bevan after the 123-run first Test cricket victory over West Indies here Tuesday.

Bevan helped his bid to keep his Test place with three surprise wickets off his left-arm wristspinners on the final day of the Test.

His 3-46 off 14 overs partly made up for disappointing batting: a first-ball duck in the first innings and a 20 in the second.

Asked why 26-year-old Bevan was struggling, Taylor told a press conference: ``He got 0 and 20 here, but I wouldn't say he's struggling.

``He's got to play like Michael Bevan can in Sydney. I don't care if they're bowling slow or fast, Michael Bevan is a very good batsman.

``He's just got to find his niche in the game.''

Bevan was under media pressure to hold his number six spot going into the Test, but selectors included him in a 13-man squad for the second Test in Sydney which starts Friday.

``It's been a tough Test and it's been a tough period. I believe I've done enough not to have received the press and vibes that I'm now getting,'' Bevan said.

``As a player I can't do any more. I've had three good seasons of first-class cricket. I've had a good Indian tour and I went down to Hobart (for Australia XI vs West Indies) and it all started up again, so it's been tough and disappointing and I don't see any reason why that sooner or later it will come.

``I think I'm just one dig away from establishing myself.''

Of his bowling, Bevan said: ``I hadn't bowled for a while and I wasn't too sure how they would come out not having bowled for a number of months, and it's probably the best they've come out in a while... it was just one of those days.''


Source: The Daily News

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Date-stamped : 25 Feb1998 - 14:46