Danny
01-03-2005, 07:47 PM
Shoulder surgery forces out Lehmann
March 1, 2005 - 7:49PM
SMH
A lingering shoulder injury has issued last rites on Darren Lehmann's international cricket career.
Lehmann will undergo surgery to his left shoulder next week, forcing him out of contention for Australia's three-match Test series against New Zealand this month.
Scans confirmed the 35-year-old needs to go under the knife after being plagued by soreness to the joint for four months and requiring a series of cortisone injections to stay on the field.
Lehmann will have the operation after leading South Australia in a Pura Cup clash against Western Australia in Perth, starting Thursday.
"I am keen to play for the Redbacks this week and have been assured that I will not set back my recovery by doing so, however the shoulder will not stand up to the rigours of three Test matches," he said.
The veteran left-hander was already an unlikely tourist after being axed from the one-day squad last month to open the door for Simon Katich to take his place in the Test top six.
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Lehmann still remains hopeful of extending his 28-Test career with a full recovery in time for this winter's Ashes series but age, fitness and a lack of form will not be on his side.
"I want to get the shoulder right so I am fit and ready for the Ashes," he said.
The versatile Mike Hussey now looms as the squad's reserve batsman after scoring 114 runs from 116 balls without being dismissed in three one-day bats in NZ conditions.
Victorian batsman Brad Hodge will vie for selection with Hussey after another successful season with the Redbacks, scoring 735 runs at 61.25 in the Pura Cup.
But the West Australian left-hander boasts an even better first-class numbers (654 at 59.45) and has is a proven performer batting anywhere in the top six.
The toughest decision for the selectors may be whether to send a bare 13 players or the full allotment of 14.
Incumbent Test all-rounder Shane Watson's side strain, which has only just recovered for him to return to bowling for Queensland against Victoria on Thursday, has harpooned his chances.
Watson's bad luck further extends to leg-spinner Stuart MacGill, who took eight wickets in the last Test at the SCG against Pakistan, as the Trevor Hohns-chaired panel is reluctant to send a back up to Shane Warne.
With Brett Lee pressuring for a berth in the starting XI, the only experience a fifth touring quick can get will be a learning one, as there are no tour matches.
Hohns admitted that with two full rounds left in the Pura Cup and NZ only a short flight from Australia, little would be gained from selecting extra players who were not required.
"That's what we've got to weigh up," Hohns said.
"There's some pretty important games coming up as well.
"It's not far over there and there's not much cricket for anyone other than the Test matches."
Wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist said Lee's current form reminded him of his explosive best when he last toured NZ as a 23-year-old in 2000 when he took 18 scalps at 17.44.
"His speeds are consistently in the 150s (kph) and you can feel it hitting the gloves. His areas he's bowling and his control is outstanding," Gilchrist said.
"He's obviously pushing extremely heavily for a Test recall. Again the guys like Kasprowicz, McGrath and Gillespie have done absolutely nothing wrong. So that's going to be a very difficult selection for the Test team."
NZ selectors will also name their squad for the first Test in Christchurch on March 10 with Lou Vincent, who scored 104 and 54 against Australia on debut in 2001-02, to be recalled after 14 months in the wilderness.
Possible Australian squad: Ricky Ponting (capt), Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Damien Martyn, Michael Clarke, Simon Katich, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz, Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, Mike Hussey.
March 1, 2005 - 7:49PM
SMH
A lingering shoulder injury has issued last rites on Darren Lehmann's international cricket career.
Lehmann will undergo surgery to his left shoulder next week, forcing him out of contention for Australia's three-match Test series against New Zealand this month.
Scans confirmed the 35-year-old needs to go under the knife after being plagued by soreness to the joint for four months and requiring a series of cortisone injections to stay on the field.
Lehmann will have the operation after leading South Australia in a Pura Cup clash against Western Australia in Perth, starting Thursday.
"I am keen to play for the Redbacks this week and have been assured that I will not set back my recovery by doing so, however the shoulder will not stand up to the rigours of three Test matches," he said.
The veteran left-hander was already an unlikely tourist after being axed from the one-day squad last month to open the door for Simon Katich to take his place in the Test top six.
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Lehmann still remains hopeful of extending his 28-Test career with a full recovery in time for this winter's Ashes series but age, fitness and a lack of form will not be on his side.
"I want to get the shoulder right so I am fit and ready for the Ashes," he said.
The versatile Mike Hussey now looms as the squad's reserve batsman after scoring 114 runs from 116 balls without being dismissed in three one-day bats in NZ conditions.
Victorian batsman Brad Hodge will vie for selection with Hussey after another successful season with the Redbacks, scoring 735 runs at 61.25 in the Pura Cup.
But the West Australian left-hander boasts an even better first-class numbers (654 at 59.45) and has is a proven performer batting anywhere in the top six.
The toughest decision for the selectors may be whether to send a bare 13 players or the full allotment of 14.
Incumbent Test all-rounder Shane Watson's side strain, which has only just recovered for him to return to bowling for Queensland against Victoria on Thursday, has harpooned his chances.
Watson's bad luck further extends to leg-spinner Stuart MacGill, who took eight wickets in the last Test at the SCG against Pakistan, as the Trevor Hohns-chaired panel is reluctant to send a back up to Shane Warne.
With Brett Lee pressuring for a berth in the starting XI, the only experience a fifth touring quick can get will be a learning one, as there are no tour matches.
Hohns admitted that with two full rounds left in the Pura Cup and NZ only a short flight from Australia, little would be gained from selecting extra players who were not required.
"That's what we've got to weigh up," Hohns said.
"There's some pretty important games coming up as well.
"It's not far over there and there's not much cricket for anyone other than the Test matches."
Wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist said Lee's current form reminded him of his explosive best when he last toured NZ as a 23-year-old in 2000 when he took 18 scalps at 17.44.
"His speeds are consistently in the 150s (kph) and you can feel it hitting the gloves. His areas he's bowling and his control is outstanding," Gilchrist said.
"He's obviously pushing extremely heavily for a Test recall. Again the guys like Kasprowicz, McGrath and Gillespie have done absolutely nothing wrong. So that's going to be a very difficult selection for the Test team."
NZ selectors will also name their squad for the first Test in Christchurch on March 10 with Lou Vincent, who scored 104 and 54 against Australia on debut in 2001-02, to be recalled after 14 months in the wilderness.
Possible Australian squad: Ricky Ponting (capt), Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Damien Martyn, Michael Clarke, Simon Katich, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz, Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, Mike Hussey.