Monday, January 29, 2007

Injuries stifle England ambitions

CB Series, Perth: England v New Zealand
Play starts Tuesday 0430 GMT
The Live Scores of the match will be available here.

England will leave a final decision on the fitness of skipper Michael Vaughan until just before the start of their game with New Zealand on Tuesday.

But it is highly unlikely he will play in the vital CB series fixture in Perth after aggravating his hamstring injury.

Seam bowlers James Anderson and Jon Lewis will not play as neither has recovered from niggles which forced them out of last Friday's match.

Vaughan was restricted to some light running during practice on Monday.
"Vaughanie is doubtful," acting captain Andrew Flintoff admitted.

"The final decision will be made tomorrow when we see how he rocks up."

Vaughan has missed the last three matches after suffering the injury during the win over the Kiwis in Hobart two weeks ago, England's sole success in the competition so far.

And he was in pain again after attempting to avoid a short delivery from pace bowler Sajid Mahmood at England's practice base at Fletcher Oval, home of Perth Cricket Club, on Sunday.
"I just felt a little bit of a twinge when I ducked a ball," he said.

"Every day we have tried to push it - there are always little obstacles you have to try to get over. I guess the odd twinges might be something I have to live with."

Whether he plays on Tuesday or not, Vaughan says a victory and morale-boosting finish to the series is essential.

England were hammered by Australia in Adelaide last Friday after being bowled out for only 110 - that came after New Zealand skittled them for 120 in their previous game.

"In eight years in the England team, that was as low as I have ever seen players feel," he said of the nine-wicket thrashing by the Aussies.

Defeat on Tuesday will almost certainly end England's hopes of reaching the tri-series finals to cap a disastrous tour.

A New Zealand win leave England needing to win their last two games - one of those being against unbeaten Australia - to make the finals.


"He's found his pace again and been swinging it at pace. He's bowled well with the new ball, especially in these one-day games"

Andrew Flintoff on the injured James Anderson


Interim captain Andrew Flintoff said it was not the time to be risking key players such as Anderson (back) and Lewis (ankle).

"They won't be available," he said.

"With the World Cup coming up it is a case of managing them well because we are going to need them further down the line."

Anderson has a history of back problems and is suffering from back soreness now, but Flintoff said he just needed a rest.

"He's been fantastic, I think he has got better and better on this trip," the skipper said.

"He's found his pace again and been swinging it at pace. He's bowled well with the new ball, especially in these one-day games."

Flintoff said England were considering shuffling their batting order on Tuesday, while wicket-keeper Paul Nixon is under pressure to retain his place ahead of Chris Read.

Paceman Sajid Mahmood has been lively in the nets and could also win a recall to spice up the England attack.
New Zealand are set to recall fast bowlers Shane Bond and James Franklin.

The pair missed Sunday's high-scoring clash with Australia to conserve their energy for Tuesday.

New Zealand's brave run-chase on Sunday has them brimming with confidence ahead of the match with England.

Jacob Oram played the starring role, scoring 101 not out off 72 balls, the fastest hundred ever made by a New Zealander in a one-day international.

The big all-rounder also bowled five overs in the searing heat but has recovered well and is hoping to continue his form against the English at the same ground on Tuesday.

"I haven't hit it that well for that duration," he said.

"There's been little cameos of 30-40 when I've hit it pretty well but five or six sixes, I was pretty happy with that."

The Kiwis expect another all-rounder, Scott Styris, to join them next week after recovering from a calf injury.


England (from): MP Vaughan (captain), A Flintoff, MB Loye, AJ Strauss, IR Bell, PD Collingwood, RS Bopara, JWM Dalrymple, PA Nixon (wicket-keeper), MS Panesar, CT Tremlett, EC Joyce, SI Mahmood, LE Plunkett, CMW Read.

New Zealand (from): SP Fleming (captain), SE Bond, JEC Franklin, PG Fulton, MR Gillespie, BB McCullum (wicket-keeper), CD McMillan, HJH Marshall, MJ Mason, JS Patel, RL Taylor, DL Vettori, L Vincent, KD Mills, JDP Oram.

Umpires: SJA Taufel & Asad Rauf (Pakistan), Match referee: RS Madugalle (Sri Lanka)

No comments: