Australian pace attack in sick bay
AFP
24 December 1998
MELBOURNE, Dec 24 (AFP) - Australia may be without both their
pace bowlers for the fourth Test with England starting here Dec
26.
Glenn McGrath was battling a mystery virus on Thursday, the day
after Jason Gillespie pulled out with a knee injury.
Matthew Nicholson, 24, was a shock call-up for Gillespie to cap
off a stunning rise, which has seen him win national honours
after only seven first class matches.
Even more remarkable is that only last year the big Western
Australian's career looked over as he went down with chronic
fatigue syndrome.
Possible replacements Michael Kasprowicz and Paul Reiffel both
suffered leg injuries during the Australian XI's victory against
England in Hobart earlier this week.
However, Australian captain Mark Taylor was hopeful McGrath would
be fit for the fourth Ashes Test.
Taylor said McGrath complained of a virus on the final day of the
third Test win in Adelaide that secured Australia the Ashes for a
sixth consecutive time.
``He's had a week off and he's feeling a lot better,'' Taylor said.
``But he still wants to see someone about it because the harder he
works the more he feels something in his chest.
``He's gone to get that checked out today, it's more precautionary
than anything - he could have bowled today in the nets without
too much of a problem. ``
Nicholson, 24, replaced Gillespie in the latest setback to an
injury plagued career for the South Australian.
Taylor said he had only seen Nicholson bowl nine overs, for the
Prime Minister's XI against England in a one-day match in
Canberra last week.
``I haven't seen a lot of him but I know from what I have heard
and what I have seen he's quite sharp and can shape the ball away
from the righthanders,'' Taylor said.
``In that regard he's in the Gillespie type mould but whether he's
going to be as accurate and as consistent as Jason I don't know,
but we may find out come Boxing Day.''
Gillespie played a key role in the second Ashes Test victory in
Perth, his return to the international arena after stress
fractures of the lower back.
He said Thursday his right knee troubled him during the Perth
Test when he took four wickets in six balls to end England's
second innings.
He said incorrect placement of his right foot on delivery had
caused wear and tear on a tendon in his right knee but hoped he
would be sidelined only a few weeks.
England will name their team after a Christmas Day fielding
session.
Australia: Mark Taylor (capt), Steve Waugh (vice capt), Michael
Slater, Justin Langer, Mark Waugh, Darren Lehmann, Ian Healy,
Damien Fleming, Stuart MacGill, Matthew Nicholson, Glenn McGrath,
Colin Miller. (12th man to be named).
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