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February 6, 1998
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Taylor, Battersby negate strike rumours
While not being one hundred per cent categorical, Australian captain Mark Taylor gave a clear indication that the rumours of an incipient players' strike which could possibly impact on the Indian tour was baseless.
"I have not heard anything much about this, I do know we are all looking forward to the Indian tour," said Taylor, who is a cert to lead the side at least on the first leg of the tour. Again, early indications are that at the end of the three-Test series, some at least of the squad members could fly back home, making way for replacements who are picked specifically with the one day format in mind.
The Australians are due here in India on February 21, and their main worry at present would be to field a full strength team. Shane Warne, who missed the one-off Test in 1996 at the Firozeshah Kotla due to an injury to his spinning finger, is at present resting a sore shoulder -- which, considering that this season alone he has sent down well over 600 overs in all first class cricket, is none too surprising -- which has caused him to miss the ongoing tour of New Zealand.
The ace leggie however indicated it was nothing serious, and that he should be fine before the squad assembles again in Australia en route to India.
The real blow comes from the fact that ace fast bowler Glenn McGrath, who couldn't take effective part in the recent tour against South Africa thanks to a side train, now appears unlikely to book his ticket for India as well. Jason Gillespie, his partner in arms, was expected to be fit -- however, the classical quick withdrew from his scheduled Sheffield Shield game citing a bruised heel the other day, and the chances of him making the India tour party look none too good at this present.
Thus, the likes of Simon Cook, Damien Fleming, Paul Reiffel -- who however missed the final test against South Africa with an injury -- and Andy Bichel appear likely to comprise the new ball attack.
However, Warne could have an ally in arms in Stuart McGill, the emerging leggie who has almost as many wickets as Warne himself, in first class cricket this season and who, in his outing against the Proteas, proved quite impressive.
While the bowling contingent thus reels from a series of injuries, the batting department appears considerably more stable. No serious injuries, aches or pains to major players -- perhaps the only question mark being about the form of Test opener Matthew Elliott. Which opens the way for discards Michael Slater and Matthew Hayden to get a look-in.
Meanwhile ACB director Cameron Battersby, who has just completed a quick tour of the venues that will feature in the upcoming series, expanded on Taylor's no-strike statement when he said, "It is our belief that there will be no basis for worry. Some very positive measures have been made to the players, and we are hopeful that they will be accepted."
Battersby and ACB operations director Richard Watson inspected Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kanpur, Vizag and Bombay, and expressed themselves pretty much satisfied.
Interestingly, Battersby managed the Australian side for the one off Test for the newly instituted Gavaskar-Border Trophy in 1996. At the end of the Test, the Aussies vowed never to play in Delhi again, citing pollution as the main reason.
"Nothing much has changed there," said Battersby, when asked his opinion of the Firozeshah Kotla as a venue. "The practise facilities and ground are excellent, but there is still a problem with smoke and pollution. However, we are oka with the idea of playing a one day fixture at the venue, as scheduled."
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