November 28, 2007	Wednesday	Ziqa’ad 17, 1428

SYDNEY, Nov 27: Opening batsman Phil Jaques has given the Australian cricket team another fitness concern ahead of next month’s Test series against the touring Indians.

Jaques, who scored consecutive Test centuries against Sri Lanka this month, has pulled out of one-day and four-day games for New South Wales amid fears he has contracted mumps.

His illness is another distraction for the Australian side given the form and injury worries hanging over leg-spinner Stuart MacGill.

Jaques, 28, missed NSW’s one-day loss to Tasmania on Sunday because of an ear infection and was expected to play in the four-day game against Victoria starting in Melbourne on Wednesday.

But he is out of the side and NSW coach Matthew Mott and chairman of selectors Brian Taber confirmed they feared the opener had contracted mumps.

Team officials expect to learn more on Wednesday, but if Jaques has mumps he might also be ruled out of NSW’s Sheffield Shield Cup match against Queensland, starting Dec 14, which is his last chance for a first-class hit-out before the India series starts in Melbourne on Boxing Day.—AFP