February 3, 2003	Monday	Zilhaj 1,1423

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

PORT ELIZABETH, Feb 2: The England cricket team said on Sunday they were optimistic that their only fitness worry, all-rounder Craig White, would be resolved this week as they begin their World Cup campaign.

Having arrived in Port Elizabeth on Saturday after a four-day break which included three days of golf at Sun City, Nasser Hussain’s men kicked off their preparations with light fielding practice at St George’s Park on Sunday morning.

England were to continue Monday with a net practice before Tuesday’s first warm-up game against Eastern Province at the revamped Motherwell club ground.

Hussain acknowledged there was still a question mark over White, local news agency Sapa reported.

“We’ve not fully tested Craig White, but his test will come tomorrow or the next day when he actually bowls,” the England skipper said.

The 33-year-old all-rounder tore a side muscle while bowling against Australia in the fourth Test in Melbourne, and was told then it would take about six weeks to recover.

“That (bowling) will be the test and the sooner he declares himself fit the better it will be to get our World Cup squad organised. He’s the only one who has got a fitness worry about him, but things are looking optimistic.”

Hussain felt after four months in Australia, England had had a good World Cup build-up.

“We had four months improving in Australia and that sets you up nicely for this tournament. We’ve been playing some good cricket and we go into the tournament with a lot of good cricket behind us.”

Hussain said they had no regrets about not returning to England after the Australian tour, despite an earlier call for a few days holiday at home for his weary tourists.

“We’re enjoying South Africa, the people have come out and supported us fantastically and we enjoy being out here.”

Alec Stewart said the tour of Australia had made them aware of the level they needed to reach to win the World Cup.

“We’ve seen Australia play good cricket. They are the best side in the world and we’ve seen the level we have to achieve if we are to win the World Cup.

“It’s also given the lads more experience. We’ve had some new players come in and they’ll have grown in stature,” Stewart said.

Hussain would not be drawn on the Zimbabwe issue, saying only that they would leave statements on that controversy to the relevant authorities.—AFP