TheWatcher
April 27, 2006, 05:18 PM
Cosgrove in Aussie debut
Fox Sports (http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,18955933-23212,00.html)
YOUNG batsman Mark Cosgrove will make his one-day debut in a weakened Australia side for the dead rubber with Bangladesh at Fatullah Stadium today.
The 21-year-old South Australian comes into the side for resting captain Ricky Ponting, who will carry the drinks.
Inexperienced duo Mitchell Johnson and Brett Dorey will open the under-strength bowling attack with all rounder James Hopes also coming into the side. Pacemen Brett Lee and Nathan Bracken have both been rested for the final match of the tour. Australia already holds an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and Adam Gilchrist will be acting captain.
Cosgrove said he is delighted to be picked in the national side.
"I have worked hard for this throughout my short career," he said. "I can't wait to pull on the green and gold of Australia. I'll be playing with some idols of mine as well as some mates I have known for a long time."
Selector on duty Merv Hughes felt Ponting and Lee deserved a break and he was keen to give Hopes a game in the lead-up to next year's World Cup in the West Indies.
"Ricky Ponting has played a lot of cricket in 18 months and this is a good opportunity to see how some of the other members of the squad handle these conditions," he said. "We have decided to manage certain players's workload. Brett Lee has had a heavy recent schedule with five Tests in five weeks and some one-day internationals.
"We have decided to give Brett Dorey the opportunity to perform under these conditions - heat, humidity and pitch. Nathan Bracken's performances in one-day internationals indicates that he is settled in the team but this gives us the chance to give James Hopes a game. His batting and bowling in these conditions will be important."
Mike Hussey said the side is keen to finish off the series on a winning note.
"We are tired and we do want to go home but we are still playing for Australia and we have a lot of pride in our own performance," he said. "I think we also owe it to ourselves to finish the season really strongly."
The team: Simon Katich, Adam Gilchrist (captain), Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Mark Cosgrove, Michael Hussey, James Hopes, Brad Hogg, Mitchell Johnson, Dan Cullen, Brett Dorey. 12th man: Ricky Ponting.
Fox Sports (http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,18955933-23212,00.html)
YOUNG batsman Mark Cosgrove will make his one-day debut in a weakened Australia side for the dead rubber with Bangladesh at Fatullah Stadium today.
The 21-year-old South Australian comes into the side for resting captain Ricky Ponting, who will carry the drinks.
Inexperienced duo Mitchell Johnson and Brett Dorey will open the under-strength bowling attack with all rounder James Hopes also coming into the side. Pacemen Brett Lee and Nathan Bracken have both been rested for the final match of the tour. Australia already holds an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and Adam Gilchrist will be acting captain.
Cosgrove said he is delighted to be picked in the national side.
"I have worked hard for this throughout my short career," he said. "I can't wait to pull on the green and gold of Australia. I'll be playing with some idols of mine as well as some mates I have known for a long time."
Selector on duty Merv Hughes felt Ponting and Lee deserved a break and he was keen to give Hopes a game in the lead-up to next year's World Cup in the West Indies.
"Ricky Ponting has played a lot of cricket in 18 months and this is a good opportunity to see how some of the other members of the squad handle these conditions," he said. "We have decided to manage certain players's workload. Brett Lee has had a heavy recent schedule with five Tests in five weeks and some one-day internationals.
"We have decided to give Brett Dorey the opportunity to perform under these conditions - heat, humidity and pitch. Nathan Bracken's performances in one-day internationals indicates that he is settled in the team but this gives us the chance to give James Hopes a game. His batting and bowling in these conditions will be important."
Mike Hussey said the side is keen to finish off the series on a winning note.
"We are tired and we do want to go home but we are still playing for Australia and we have a lot of pride in our own performance," he said. "I think we also owe it to ourselves to finish the season really strongly."
The team: Simon Katich, Adam Gilchrist (captain), Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Mark Cosgrove, Michael Hussey, James Hopes, Brad Hogg, Mitchell Johnson, Dan Cullen, Brett Dorey. 12th man: Ricky Ponting.