LONDON, 10 August 2003 — England called up three uncapped players in batsman Ed Smith, all-rounder Glen Chapple and off spinner Gareth Batty to a 13-man squad for the third Test against South Africa yesterday.
Batsman Anthony McGrath was dropped from the previous squad while fast bowler Darren Gough retired from Tests after playing in the first two matches of the five-Test series.
McGrath impressed with his attitude in the series win over Zimbabwe but struggled against the South Africans, averaging 17 in three innings while batting at five.
England selector Geoff Miller said: “He is certainly not out of our thoughts for future England team selections.” Kent batsman Smith has made six centuries this season and is averaging more than 60 in first-class matches. “He is in the form of his life and has made a mountain of runs,” Miller added. The 26-year-old, however, missed out for Kent against South Africa when failing to reach double figures in the first innings in their current tour match. Worcestershire’s Batty, aged 25, has played two One-Day Internationals, both against Australia last year. The 29-year-old Chapple, who is also a useful batsman for Lancashire, has never featured for England.
There was no room for Surrey left hander Graham Thorpe again. Thorpe, 34, averages 41.87 in 77 Tests but has not been selected since opting out of the Ashes tour of Australia at the last moment because of personal problems.
Pakistan Tour a Test for Bangladesh: Whatmore
In Dhaka, Bangladesh must not lose the confidence and spirit gathered from its recent Australian tour, despite a clean sweep loss to the world champions, coach Dav Whatmore said yesterday.
“If the team can keep the confidence gained from the Australian tour, we will perform better on our upcoming Pakistan tour,” he told reporters after returning to Dhaka. “Pakistan will be a testing ground for Bangladesh.”
The Bangladesh team leaves for Pakistan on August 17 for its first experience of three Tests and five one-dayers with the former world champions. Whatmore said his fledgling team had learned tough lessons during the two Tests and three one-dayers at Cairns and Darwin, during which they gained valuable experience.
