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| September 11, 2006 | Monday | Sha'aban 17, 1427 |
Malaysia get ready for big time cricket
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10: Australia, India and the West Indies tune-up for the ICC Champions Trophy at a one-day series in Malaysia this week, as international cricket has a rare outing in tropical Southeast Asia.
The day/night limited-overs DLF Cup will see each team play the other twice starting from Tuesday with the top two meeting in the final at Kinrara Oval on Sept 24.
It is the first time that Malaysia has hosted such a high-profile cricket event, beating off a host of rival bidders including Singapore.
All three teams have brought full-strength squads and will use the series as crucial match practice ahead of the Champions Trophy in India next month.
The tournament is Australia's first international series since it toured Bangladesh in April and marks the return of paceman Glenn McGrath who has not played since January.
McGrath, 34, has been helping his wife in her fight against breast cancer.
“We see the Kuala Lumpur series as an ideal opportunity for him to return to the international cricket scene and will use it to closely monitor his progress,” Australia's chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said.
Australia are led by Ricky Ponting but vice-captain and wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist is being rested ahead of the Champions Trophy.
West Australian batsman Michael Hussey assumes his vice-captain duties while New South Wales wicket-keeper Brad Haddin replaces Gilchrist behind the stumps.
Test opener Matthew Hayden has been recalled to the one-day side for the first time since he was dropped in England last year, although he will not travel to India next month.
“The whole idea of this series is to try and give everyone a couple of games at least,” said Ponting.
Brian Lara, in his third stint as captain, leads the West Indies as they begin the long road to defending their Champions Trophy title.
“What I like about it (the
Malaysia tournament) is that it will be perfect preparation for the ICC tournament,” he said.
“Playing against teams like Australia and India definitely will get us prepared for defending our trophy. The guys are looking forward to it.”
With no full fledged spinner in the mix they will be reliant on their battery of fast and seam bowlers to fire out the opposition, including Fidel Edwards, Jerome Taylor, Ian Bradshaw and Corey Collymore.
India come into the event short on one-day match practice after South Africa withdrew from the recent tri-series in Sri Lanka over security concerns and heavy rain ruined their games against the host.
Led by Rahul Dravid, India have left veteran leg-spinner Anil Kumble out of their squad because of doubts over his fitness.
All 15 players who toured Sri Lanka, including master batsman Sachin Tendulkar, are retained for the Malaysia event although former skipper Saurav Ganguly has once again found himself out of favour.
Schedule (all matches are day/night and at Kinrara Oval):
Sept 12: Australia v West Indies
Sept 14: India v West Indies
Sept 16: Australia v India
Sept 18: Australia v West Indies
Sept 20: India v West Indies
Sept 22: Australia v India
Sept 24: Final.—AFP
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