NEW DELHI, 24 February 2004 — Indian middle-order batsman Mohammad Kaif has been declared fit but strike bowler Zaheer Khan is a doubt for India’s tour of Pakistan next month. Kaif missed a one-day tournament in Australia this year due to a thumb injury sustained in December.
“I started batting in the nets two days ago. There are no problems and I feel no discomfort,” Kaif said by phone from Bombay yesterday. Kaif, a one-day specialist, averages 30.78 in 59 matches but has only played four Tests. Left-arm paceman Zaheer, sidelined after a hamstring injury flared up in the third Test against Australia at Melbourne at the end of last year, has also returned to action but said he was not sure if he would be fully fit.
“I’m not fully confident that I’ll be able to go to Pakistan. There is a question mark,” Zaheer said in Madras, where he is training under former Australian test bowler Dennis Lillee. “Only when I’ll be able to consistently bowl flat-out from a full run-up, will I reach any decision.”
Zaheer, blighted by hamstring problems, has been advised by Lillee to reduce his delivery stride. He was expected to test himself in a domestic Duleep Trophy tournament match this week but pulled out of the four-day game.
Khan, who has taken 82 wickets in 28 Tests, has been India’s main strike bowler since Javagal Srinath retired last year. His 118 One-Day wickets in 77 matches have come at 25.16.
India will play five One-Dayers in Pakistan, starting in Karachi on March 13, followed by three Tests.
Leg-spinner Anil Kumble, out with a shoulder strain, also faces a fitness Test before the team is selected on March 3. Spin partner Harbhajan Singh is unlikely to be available following finger surgery last year.
Gilchrist and Symonds Face Dissent Charges
Australia’s Adam Gilchrist and Andrew Symonds will face charges of dissent today after becoming embroiled in a controversial incident during the second one-dayer against Sri Lanka at Dambulla at the weekend. International Cricket Council match referee Mike Proctor decided to hold the hearings after examining videotapes of the incident.
If found guilty, they could be reprimanded, fined up to half their match fee or banned for one match. Sri Lanka won the match by one run to level the five-match series at 1-1.
Pollock’s One-Day Run Cut Short by Injury
Meanwhile, injured strike bowler Shaun Pollock will miss his first One-Day International in four years when South Africa take on New Zealand at Carisbrook today. Pollock, who was sacked as captain at last year’s World Cup, has played 116 one-dayers in a row. He has played 211 in total since his debut in 1996.
New Zealand lead the current six-match series 2-1. Pollock strained his groin while bowling in the third match but then blasted three sixes in the final over only for South Africa to lose by five runs.
New Zealand have a good record at Carisbrook, where they have only lost once — to Australia — in the last five years. Captain Stephen Fleming was happy to see the back of Pollock.
