Home > Cricket > The Challenge of Australia >
PTI >
Report
Williams, Kasprowicz dropped
December 31, 2003 12:52 IST
Last Updated: December 31, 2003 12:54 IST
Paceman Brad Williams, who had an impressive limited overs series in India, has been left out of the 13-member Australia squad for the first four matches of the triangular one-day series, starting on January 9.
Also excluded from the squad that did duty in the tri-series in India is another fast bowler, Michael Kasprowicz.
Taking the place of the two are tearaway fast bowlers Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie, who both missed the Indian tour due to injuries.
"That [not making the squad] is hard on Brad Williams and Michael Kasprowicz, who performed so well in India, but we only have room for so many fast bowlers in the squad," chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said.
"Brad and Michael's performances in India were very good and noted by selectors, but it is now up to those in the squad to take their opportunity," he said.
The series, involving Australia, India and Zimbabwe, starts with a day-night match between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on January 9.
All the teams will play each other four times before the top two sides meet in the best-of-three finals.
Hohns said: "We have opted to go with a 13-man squad for the first four matches as it should provide us with sufficient depth during that period."
The squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Michael Bevan, Andrew Bichel, Nathan Bracken, Michael Clarke, Jason Gillespie, Ian Harvey, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds.