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| December 30, 2003 | Tuesday | Ziqa’ad 6, 1424 |
Steve Waugh fit for Sydney finale
MELBOURNE, Dec 29: Steve Waugh’s Sydney send-off is back on track after Australian captain was cleared of any serious damage to his elbow following a scare in third Test against India at the MCG.
Waugh was forced to retire hurt after being struck on elbow by Ajit Agarkar after facing just two balls on Sunday.
He returned later to make 19 runs in a partnership of 65 with Ricky Ponting. After being dismissed Waugh went for for x-rays which revealed no fracture.
Cricket Australia doctor Trefor James said Waugh would probably be fit to play in Sydney Test, starting on Friday, which is his last before retiring.
“You’d expect he’ll have some discomfort and we’ll review him over next few days but my expectation is that he’ll be able to play in Sydney,” James said.
Ponting praised his skipper for coming out to bat after a bruise size of a golf ball had come up on his elbow.
“He was struggling a lot — it was a big effort for him to come out and bat at all,” he said.
“The first couple of balls he faced you could tell he was in a lot of pain — he barely got a bat on them.”
Ponting said Waugh’s return at fall of Simon Katich’s wicket was critical as Australia was 437-5 and leading India by only 71.
Eventually, with Waugh’s help, Ponting made 257 and guided Australia to 558 in reply to India’s 366 — an overall lead of 192.
“It was a vital stage of the game for us — lead wasn’t that substantial and he faced nearly 70 balls and we put on nearly 70 runs,” Ponting said of Waugh’s decision to come back to bat. “It was a great effort and you wouldn’t expect anything else from him.”
Waugh’s comeback was reminiscent of his effort in battling a torn calf muscle to make 157 not out in fifth Test against England on 2001 Ashes tour.—PPI
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