05 February 2004	Thursday	13 Zilhaj 1424

MELBOURNE, Feb 4: Australia fast bowler Andy Bichel suggested he was the victim of double standards on Tuesday after being axed for the final of a one-day series against India.

Bichel, 33, was dropped from a 13-man squad in favour of Michael Kasprowicz. Australia host India for the best-of-three final starting in Melbourne on Friday.

The hard-working Queenslander, who was also dropped during the Test series against India, felt he was not given as many chances as some of his team mates.

"Maybe there are double standards and that's the disappointing factor, knowing that I have so many supporters out there who are right behind me," Bichel told reporters in Brisbane on Tuesday. "But that's the way it is and you have to take it on the chin."

He said being dropped from the test side had been "hard to swallow", adding: "I probably don't play the media bandwagon too much, I've just get on and played my cricket.

"I think you get that in every sporting team around the world, there's different guys who get the limelight."

Bichel was a huge success at last year's World Cup, taking 16 wickets at an average of 12.31 while contributing significantly as a lower-order batsman, but has only managed three wickets for 197 from six matches in the triangular series against India and Zimbabwe.

Australia chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said in a statement: "It is fair to say that Andy Bichel has not been bowling as well as we would like and we feel that a spell at state level might help him recapture his form."

Some of Bichel's team mates have also struggled. Brett Lee, the blond pin-up boy of Australia cricket who endorses a wide range of products, took one for 83 in a one-day match against India in Brisbane in January but has since returned to form.

Batsman Damien Martyn has been retained despite making 122 runs at 17.42 in the triangular series.

Kasprowicz, 31, will win his 19th one-day cap. Australia also retained Simon Katich while Mike Hussey, who made 17 not out in his debut against India in Perth on Sunday, was dropped.

Squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Michael Clarke, Jason Gillespie, Ian Harvey, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hogg, Michael Kasprowicz, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds, Brad Williams.-Reuters