HOME   
   NEWS   
   BUSINESS   
   CRICKET   
   SPORTS   
   MOVIES   
   NET GUIDE   
   SHOPPING   
   BLOGS  
   ASTROLOGY  
   MATCHMAKER  


Search:



The Web

Rediff









Cricket
News
Diary
Specials
Schedule
Interviews
Columns
Gallery
Wallpapers
Statistics
Earlier Tours
Domestic Season



Home > Cricket > World Cup 2003 > Reuters > Report

Injury scares for Ponting, Warne

February 07, 2003 00:06 IST

Australia captain Ricky Ponting and leg spinner Shane Warne suffered injury scares five days before the World champions' opening World Cup match.

Ponting was forced to pull out of Thursday's warm-up match against South African province Northerns with a hamstring complaint, and Warne had to leave the field after injuring his finger.

Australia won the match by five wickets after stand-in captain Adam Gilchrist and Jimmy Maher smashed half-centuries to help their team overcome Northerns' total of 277.

But the biggest concern for the tournament favourites was the fitness of Warne and Ponting, though both were cleared of any serious problems.

Warne returned to finish his spell after being treated off the field, while a team spokesman told reporters Ponting was only rested as a precaution. He said both were likely to play against Pakistan on Tuesday in the first match of Australia's World Cup defence.

Warne, who has taken 291 one-day international wickets, continued bowling despite bruising one of the fingers on his bowling hand, but was generally ineffective, conceding 70 runs from his eight overs.

Left-handed opener Jacques Rudolph blasted 150 off just 141 balls, smashing 14 fours and six sixes, to help Northerns amass a competitive total.

Fast bowler Brett Lee completed figures of four for 28, including the last two wickets in successive balls, and paceman Jason Gillespie collected two for 31 in a tidy spell.

Australia made a poor start to their reply, losing opener Matthew Hayden for a duck, but they quickly regained control.

Gilchrist struck five fours and five sixes in his typically dashing 64-ball knock of 71, while Maher's unbeaten 78 came off just 80 deliveries.

Andrew Symonds made a rapid 38 to boost his chances of winning the all rounder's spot in the team for the match against Pakistan, and Damien Martyn (31) and Brad Hogg (26 not out) also made valuable contributions.

Schedule | Interviews | Columns | Discussion Groups | News | Venues

Share your comments

© Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.



Article Tools

Email this Article

Printer-Friendly Format

Letter to the Editor



Related Stories


Australia's pieces come together

Aussies not invincible

Key moments in past 4 Cup finals



People Who Read This Also Read


Indians crash to defeat

Steve Waugh smashes 211 for NSW

England match won't be shifted: ICC







HOME   
   NEWS   
   BUSINESS   
   CRICKET   
   SPORTS   
   MOVIES   
   NET GUIDE   
   SHOPPING   
   BLOGS  
   ASTROLOGY  
   MATCHMAKER  
Copyright © 2003 rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved.