|
|
|
| March 11, 2007 | Sunday | Safar 21, 1428 |
Pen-sketches of Australia squad
BRIDGETOWN, March 10: Pen pix of Australia's World Cup squad:
Ricky Ponting (RHB/captain). Age: 32. ODI appearances: 269. Debut: v South Africa, Wellington, Feb 15, 1995. The inspirational leader of Australian cricket will have to lead from the front if his team is to win a third successive World Cup. Without him, the team just doesn't seem to put a foot right.
Career: 9856 runs (ave 42.48), HS 164, 22 100s, 58 50s, 117 catches, 3 wkts (ave 34.66), BB 1-12.
Nathan Bracken (RHB/LFM). Age: 29. ODI appearances: 57. Debut: v West Indies, Melbourne, Jan 11, 2001. Tall and slim, the left-arm seamer moves the ball both ways and appears to have settled into the pace attack behind Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath.
Career: 144 runs (ave 16.00), HS 21*, 12 catches, 96 wkts (ave 22.23), BB 5-67, 4w 3.
Stuart Clark (RHB/RFM). Age: 31. ODI appearances: 24. Debut: v ICC World XI, Melbourne, Oct 7, 2005. One of the heroes of the Ashes who originally missed out on the World Cup but was drafted in when Brett Lee was ruled out through an ankle injury.
Career: 59 runs (19.66), HS 16*, 7 catches, 35 wkts (ave 31.82), BB
Michael Clarke (RHB/SLA). Age: 25. ODI appearances: 101. Debut: v England, Adelaide, Jan 19, 2003. The 'Pup' has now matured into an international batsman of class in both forms of the game. He is already being regarded as a future Australian captain and the possible successor to Ponting.
Career: 2893 runs (42.54), HS 105*, 2 100s, 21 50s, 37 catches, 30 wkts (ave 36.73), BB 5-35, 4w 2.
Adam Gilchrist (LHB/WK). Age: 35. ODI appearances: 257. Debut: v South Africa, Faridabad, Oct 25, 1996. Easily the most exhilarating cricketer of the modern age, the steamrolling batsman and a classy wicket-keeper holds the key to how Australia perform at the World Cup.
Career: 8585 runs (ave 35.62), HS 172, 14 100s, 48 50s, 422 dismissals (376 catches and 46 stumpings).
Brad Haddin (RHB/WK). Age: 29. ODI appearances: 21. Debut: v Zimbabwe, Hobart, Jan 30, 2001. The reserve wicket-keeper was included in the World Cup squad since Gilchrist will miss the early stages of the competition for family reasons. Haddin can't wait to grab the opportunity.
Career: 467 runs (25.94), HS 70, 1 50, 32 dismissals (28 catches and 4 stumpings).
Matthew Hayden (LHB). Age: 35. ODI appearances: 134. Debut: v Australia, Manchester, May 19, 1993. His physical and mental strength makes him an opening batsman to be feared by rival bowlers. Earlier considered only a Test batsman, he has also begun to make his mark in the shorter version of the game.
Career: 4840 runs (ave 41.72), HS 181*, 7 100s, 29 50s, 54 catches.
Brad Hodge (RHB/OB). Age: 32. ODI appearances: 13. Debut: v New Zealand, Auckland, Dec 3, 2005. Another Test batsman given a chance to shine on the one-day stage after the retirement of Damien Martyn. A consistent performer in first-class cricket for Victoria where he grew up under the watchful eyes of his hero Dean Jones.
Career: 364 runs (ave 33.09), HS 99*, 3 50s, 8 catches
Brad Hogg (LHB/SLC). Age: 36. ODI appearances: 95. Debut: v Zimbabwe, Colombo, Aug 26, 1996. The lone spinner in the Australian side could play a big role at the World Cup if the Caribbean wickets play slow and low as expected. He is regarded as a one-day specialist for his tight line and length.
Career: 660 runs (ave 20.00), HS 71*, 2 50s, 29 catches, 112 wkts (ave 29.22), BB 5-32, 4w 2.
Mike Hussey (LHB/RM). Age: 31. ODI appearances: 61. Debut: v India, Perth, Feb 1, 2004. A late entrant into international cricket, he has made up for lost time by emerging as a great finisher in one-day cricket in the mould of the retired Michael Bevan. A key member of the Australian side.
Career: 1739 runs (66.88), HS 109*, 2 100s, 10 50s, 38 catches, 2 wkts (ave 83.50), BB 1-22.
Mitchell Johnson (LHB/LFM). Age: 25. ODI appearances: 18. Debut: v New Zealand, Christchurch, Dec 10, 2005. The tall left-armer is widely regarded as Australia's most promising fast bowler after Brett Lee. He is quick and swings the ball both ways. Remains to be seen how much his inexperience will hinder his progress at the World Cup.
Career: 29 runs (ave 7.25), HS 15, 3 catches, 26 wkts (ave 27.88), BB 4-11, 4w 2.
Glenn McGrath (RHB/RFM). Age: 37. ODI appearances: 239. Debut: v South Africa, Melbourne, Dec 9, 1993. The champion fast bowler hopes to end a magnificent international career by helping Australia retain the World Cup.
Career: 115 runs (ave 3.83), HS 11, 36 catches, 355 wkts (ave 22.63), BB 7-15, 4w 16.
Andrew Symonds (RHB/OB). Age: 31. ODI appearances: 161. Debut: v Pakistan, Lahore, Nov 10, 1998. The aggressive all-rounder is so vital to Australia's chances that he was picked for the World Cup even though he may not be available till the later stages of the tournament due to a bicep injury.
Career: 4037 runs (ave 38.81), HS 156, 5 100s, 21 50s, 69 catches, 121 wkts (ave 37.38), BB 5-18, 4w 3.
Shaun Tait (RHB/RF). Age: 23. ODI appearances: 4. Debut: v England, Sydney, Feb 2, 2007. The young pace bowler goes to the World Cup knowing he must justify his surprise selection ahead of Ashes star Stuart Clark.
Career: 11 runs (ave 11.00), HS 11, 5 wkts (ave 43.60), BB 2-60.
Shane Watson (RHB/RFM). Age: 25. ODI appearances: 57. Debut: v South Africa, Centurion, March 24, 2002. The pugnacious all-rounder is no Symonds but is still expected to make a mark with both bat and ball on the greatest platform in the sport.
Career: 856 runs (ave 30.57), HS 79, 6 50s, 13 catches, 58 wkts (ave 32.72), BB 4-39, 4w 2.—AFP
|
|
|
|
