NORTHAMPTON, 22 July 2006 — Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer yesterday ruled Shoaib Akhtar out of the third Test at Headingley saying that the speedster “would be lucky if he makes it for the fourth Test” at The Oval next month.
“People should understand that Shoaib has had serious injury problems and has been out of international cricket for quite a long while. He would need more time to get fit enough to play for Pakistan,” Woolmer told Arab News after a meeting with Shoaib, who is currently training with Warwickshire trainers in England.
Shoaib, 30, has been out of international cricket after playing in the Karachi Test against India earlier this year and since has been dogged by knee and ankle problems. He underwent twin knee surgery in Australia in February this year.
He missed the earlier part of Pakistan’s tour of England following a recurrence of an ankle stress fracture that he suffered from during the home series against England last December.
Woolmer, who took time off from his team’s four-day game against Northamptonshire in Northampton to meet Shoaib, said that the good news is that the ‘Rawalpindi Express’ is making progress and is recovering fast and should be playing for Pakistan later this summer.
He also met with Warwickshire trainers who informed the coach about Shoaib’s progress since he started working on his fitness at the county’s facilities a few days back.
Woolmer said that once he is passed fit by specialists then Shoaib would compete in a few local league games to check whether he is fully ready for an international comeback.
But he said that it would take at another 14 days for Shoaib to be able to play any kind of competitive cricket. “We have plans for Shoaib to play in the local league but such games are still at least 14 days away.” Woolmer said that it is now easy for a fast bowler to resume playing international cricket after a substantial layoff caused by major injuries.
“It is going to take time,” said. “It is not likely that he would be able to play in the third Test and I would consider Shoaib lucky if plays in the last Test.” Pakistan are to meet England in the second Test at Old Trafford from July 27, an outing that would be followed by the third Test at Headingley from August 4. The final Test would be played at The Oval. Pakistani team officials are anxiously looking forward to have Shoaib back in their side for the third or fourth Tests.
We’re the Underdogs, Says New South Africa Skipper
Reuters adds: In Colombo, South Africa captain Ashwell Prince admits his inexperienced squad, missing three senior players including first-choice skipper Graeme Smith, start their Test series against Sri Lanka as the underdogs.
“We are coming here without three of our regulars — Smith, Jacques Kallis and Shaun Pollock — so considering this and the fact we are playing away from home makes us the underdogs in the series,” Prince told reporters on his team’s arrival. “They have been enjoying a good time. Mahela (Jayawardene) has been doing well as captain and as a batsman, Sangakkara (Kumar) has been among the runs and Sanath Jayasuriya has done well on his return. “Sri Lanka will have the edge. But we are determined to face the challenge,” he added. Prince, the first colored player to captain South Africa, also pinpointed spinner Muttiah Muralitharan as the major threat during a two-match series that starts on July 27 at the Sinhalese Sports Club.