Two newcomers in test side

Press, 24 December 1985, Page 30

Two newcomers in test side

NZPA-AAP Sydney The injured fast bowler, Dave Gilbert, will have a searching fitness test this morning at the Sydney Cricket Ground in a bid to play in the second test against India, starting at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Boxing Day. The Australian selectors have included Gilbert and a brilliant young all rounder, Steve Waugh, in the second test squad at the expense of the Queensland opener, Robbie Kerr, and the Victorian fast bowler, Merv Hughes. But Hughes is on standby

for Gilbert ■ if he fails the fitness test.

The 24-year-old right arm paceman has strained ribs and damaged muscles in his side.

He was first injured in a Sheffield Shield clash against Western Australia on the S.C.G. in early December and subsequently aggravated it.

He was sidelined from the shield clash against South Australia and missed the drawn first test against India in Adelaide.

Gilbert will have a follow-up fitness test at the S.C.G. tomorrow.

“It has been a terribly

frustrating period for me—- — seemed weird,” said Gilbert yesterday. “It’s the first time I’ve missed a top match because of injury. I’ll go through my paces at 11 this morning at the S.C.G. watched by a selector, Dick Guy, and the physiotherapist Errol Alcott,” he said. Gilbert stayed on in Adelaide mainly because he had Alcott to work on him.

“Initially it was ice packs and then ultra sound on the injured part,” he said. “Then it was manipulation and lower back strengthening. The Australian selectors

had no difficulty retaining the lanky Western Australian newcomer, Bruce Reid, in the test squad. Reid, with his reach and ability to bring his medium fast deliveries up off the track, was an outstanding success in the Adelaide test.

He bowled 53 overs, 22 of which were maidens and took four for 113.

Ray Bright’s spinning success against New South Wales on the M.C.G. track has kept the gritty Victorian in the line-up. The success of David Boon as opener has confirmed his position after the 123 at Adelaide.

In doubt is Marsh at No. 3 if Waugh’s talents with the ball and bat are to be used.

The captain, Allan Border, might be required to slip into the No. 3 slot, enabling Waugh to bat in the middle order and strengthen the crucial breakthrough point on which Australia floundered in the first test

The 12 man squad is Wayne Phillips, David Boon, Geoff Marsh, Allan Border (captain), Greg Ritchie, David Hookes (vice captain), Greg Matthews, Ray Bright, Craig McDermott Bruce Reid, Stephen Waugh and Dave Gilbert.