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| Sunday, 3 February 2002 |
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Pressured Australians keep team for South Africa game under wraps by JOHN YARWOOD PERTH, Australia, Feb 2 (AFP) - Australia, under extreme pressure to beat South Africa by a big margin in Sunday's crucial last tri-nations series qualifying clash, took the unusual step Saturday of choosing their team but declining to release it. "We have picked the team, but we are going to keep it under wraps until tomorrow," Australian captain Steve Waugh said as his side limbered up for a sellout game which will decide whether the host nation or New Zealand earn the right to play South Africa in next week's showdown. "It is pretty simple," said Waugh. "Tactics will play an important part tomorrow, we are looking to get a bonus point, so we want to keep our side to ourselves until the morning. "There are 13 players in the squad, so we can go with any combination of them." After South Africa beat New Zealand decisively Friday to make certain of a place in the finals, Australia - reigning World Cup one-day champions - are left with the stern challenge of not only beating the in-form Proteas, but by a margin big enough to give them a bonus point. South Africa have gained 18 points from their first seven qualifying matches to have a one-point advantage over New Zealand, who have completed their eight preliminary games. Australia, currently on 13 points, would join New Zealand on 17 if they win at the WACA Ground Sunday. But a simple win would not be enough to carry the home country through to the finals, because in the event of teams being level, the match-up between sides determines positions. New Zealand have a 3-1 advantage over Australia. Australia's refusal to release their team until the day of the match fired speculation there may be significant changes in a combination who have failed to produce their best form in the contest. The most likely change appears to be the sacking of long-time opening batsman Mark Waugh and his replacement with prolific left-hander Darren Lehmann, who was added to the Australian squad this week. In six games in the contest, Mark Waugh has totalled only 92 runs, with a top score of 55 not out, for an average of 18.40. Another possible, though less likely, change is the dropping of star leg-spinner Shane Warne, who has sometimes labored in this series for his modest six scalps for an average of 45.17. |
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