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SYDNEY, Oct 17: Tasmanian opener Jamie Cox scored a century against New South Wales Wednesday to push his claims for a place in Australia’s Test team for next month’s series against New Zealand.
Michael Slater was dropped for the fifth Test against England in August and replaced by Justin Langer, who made a century but faces a battle to retain his place as opening partner for fellow left-hander Matthew Hayden.
Cox made 107 and his Dene Hills scored 136 as Tasmania powered to 328 for four on the opening day of the four-day interstate match at Sydney Cricket Ground.
Ricky Ponting made 75 not out, hitting three boundaries in one over from Test team mate Glenn McGrath, who finished with figures of none for 86.
Ponting came to the wicket at 205 for one after Cox, who faced 187 balls and hit 14 boundaries, was out in the 57th over.
Wednesday’s scores:
(Day one of four):
In Sydney: Tasmania 328-4 (Dene Hills 136, Jamie Cox 107, Ricky Ponting 75 not out; Stuart Clark 4-24) v New South Wales.
In Brisbane: Queensland v Western Australia — no play, rain.
In Adelaide: Victoria 228-4 (Brad Hodge 100 not out, Matthew Elliott 42) v South Australia.
WAUGH BATS IN NETS:
Australia captain Steve Waugh, recovering from illness and injury, batted for the first time in six weeks on Wednesday in preparation for next month’s series against New Zealand.
He said he wanted to play for New South Wales in their interstate match against South Australia starting on Oct 26 in Sydney as part of his preparations for the first Test.
“I’m very confident (of playing). I’ve had injuries and setbacks in the past, it only makes me want to be there even more,” Waugh said in an Australian television interview Wednesday.
“It’d be nice to play a four-day (game) before the Test match. I haven’t picked up a bat since I’ve come home which in some ways is good.
“I like to get away from cricket, but now I’ve got to get back into it pretty seriously.”
LEE IN TIGHT SPOT:
Australian cricket selectors have told fast bowler Brett Lee to start taking wickets when he returns from a side strain next week if he wants to make the Test side to play New Zealand next month.
“The main criteria for selection will be form, which is taking wickets, and current form is the most important,” chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said Wednesday.
ENGLAND’S TOUR ON:
The England cricket tour to India next month is still on as far as the ICC is concerned, a spokesman said in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday ahead of an executive board meeting.
“I have heard numerous rumours from so-called informed sources which claim that England will not be travelling to India later this year,” ICC communications manager Mark Harrison said.
“But as far as the ICC is concerned, this is entirely misleading. I can assure you that the ICC will not put any player at risk and therefore we are monitoring the situation in Afghanistan closely.
“Both the English and Indian authorities are in constant contact and they have yet to inform us of any change in their plans.” —Reuters/AFP
