Aussies feel heat as Ashes loom

By James Price in Sharjah

GIVEN a rare day off in a hectic schedule that sees them playing virtually non-stop through to next June, a bunch of Australian cricketers turned their hands to golf yesterday.

Led by vice-captain Adam Gilchrist, they headed for The Montgomerie Course in Dubai, one of the first to come on stream of several layouts worldwide being designed by the former European No1.

Two-up in their three-Test series against Pakistan and with the serious business of the Ashes against England now barely three weeks away, it was welcome R&R.

However, back at the team's hotel, manager Steve Bernard was caught in a whirlwind of meetings and telephone calls. Could he persuade the Pakistan Cricket Board and their TV rights holders to bring forward the start of Saturday's meaningless final Test by 24 hours?

With the Second Test lasting barely two days, and with his players facing six days of inaction in the Emirates, Bernard was pursuing every angle to cut down the torpor.

There was also a security issue.

After the weekend terrorist bombing in Bali, where many Australians lost their lives, there was concern for his players' safety staying in a Muslim country.

Secretly, Bernard was relieved that by staying in the same hotel as the Pakistanis with attendant security personnel, Muslim fanatics were unlikely to strike against their own.

Those issues, however, were window dressing. The Australian side must fulfil touring commitments to retain their World No1 status and will play the Third Test regardless, although its futility and potential for long-term damage will not be lost on them.

Bernard's players have everything to lose and nothing to gain by playing.

Gravest of all their concerns is the danger to long-term health posed by performing for five days in temperatures that have topped 120 degrees Fahrenheit every lunchtime for the past week.

Then there is the risk of further injury in the run-up to facing England.

The Australians lost key fast bowler Jason Gillespie to a calf injury during the First Test in Colombo. Gillespie is only able to shuffle at present and is unlikely to line up against England in Brisbane on 7 November.

Ricky Ponting split the webbing in his left thumb in Sri Lanka and took a blow in the field on the same digit at the weekend. It could take only one spitting delivery from Shoaib Akhtar for him to be sidelined at the Gabba as well.

And what of the Waugh twins?

Between them the 37-year-old lynchpins of the Australian middle order have scored only two runs in their last four visits to the crease. Neither has made an international century since The Oval 14 months and 16 Tests ago.

Pressure is building on the Australian selectors to make changes.

Another win over Pakistan here this weekend will only delay the inevitable.

Another victory and Australia taking the series 3-0 will only whitewash over their shortcomings.

Mark Waugh is refusing to talk about his future and, while his players were on the golf course, brother Steve was spending the day with his wife Lynette and daughter Rosalie.

The whole atmosphere in the Australian camp is slightly surreal and they clearly do not need another Test this weekend with the Ashes now so close.

Copyright 2002
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