Melbourne, Feb 3 : Australian fast bowlers Shaun Tait and Dirk Nannes are fighting for the chance to play against Pakistan in the Twenty20 international at the MCG on Friday night.
Both are clearly in contention for the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean during April, yet only one may get the opportunity on Friday, with Mitchell Johnson and the latest sensation, Ryan Harris, also in the 13-man squad.
Picking Tait would be a gamble because constant injury problems means he no longer plays Sheffield Shield cricket, raising questions about his fitness, FOX Sports reports.
Tait was one of the leading bowlers of the 2007 Cricket World Cup, but he broke down during the last of his three Tests, against India in Perth two years ago, and thereafter has struggled physically and mentally to return to the longer forms of the game.
He has played just six Shield matches in the past two seasons and by his own admission he has been scratchy for South Australia in the Ford Ranger Cup this summer.
“I haven’t really bowled that well lately,” said Tait, who was flown to Perth last week as cover for the injured Peter Siddle but did not play the fifth one-day match against Pakistan.
“It’s not that I am not in good form, I have just been a bit scratchy in the last couple of games, bowling a few no-balls and wides came back again. It is just a case of getting back in the nets and having a good crack, and I am sure I will be fine. It is just something, throughout my career, that has always been happening,” Tait said.
Nannes, 33, played for the Netherlands in the 2009 World Twenty20, but the Victoria paceman is desperate to play for Australia.
“I think any chance to play is a big opportunity. Every game you play in the Big Bash is a massive opportunity. Hopefully I get a few more opportunities after (Friday) and who knows? I’m not a selector and all I can do is try and bowl my best,” Nannes said.
“It’s great to be sort of, I guess, recognised to be in the Australian team, and whether that, going forward, gets me a place to the World Cup, that would be fantastic. It’s a bit of a different game,” he said. (ANI)
Similar
US News
- Sun Pharma Gets FDA Nod To Sell Nasal Spray Astelin In US Market
- Bharti Airtel Gets Hold Of 49% Stake In Qualcomm India broadband
- Facebook IPO issue must be reviewed, says U.S. financial regulators
- Brooklyn to investigate witness intimidation in abuse cases
- Sun Pharma, Dr Reddy's & Aurobindo Get USFDA Authorization To Market Generic Cardiac Drug
Belgrade, May 29 : Serbian midfielder Adem Ljajic has been suspended from the national team for refusing to sing the national anthem before his country's friendly against Spain, the Serbian Football Federation announced. 
Rome, May 28 : The captain of the Italian football club Lazio has been arrested amid investigations in connection to match-fixing scandal. 
Kolkata, May 29: With a frenzied crowd of thousands cheering on, Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Tuesday began a victory parade from south Kolkata's 
London, May 28 : Former England cricketer Adam Hollioake has revealed that his friends and family were surprised when he chose the gentleman's game over rugby and boxing as his profession. 
Sydney, May 18 : Australian professional motorcycle racer, two-time MotoGP world champion, Casey Stoner, announced that he will retire from Grand Prix racing at the 
Pune, April 30 - Veer Patel of Baroda steered his Honda CRF 250 with much panache to clinch the title in the showpiece Foreign Open class ahead of defending champion Aravind KP in the 2012 National Supercross championship here.