Luckless Gilbert may get chance

Press, 7 February 1986, Page 32

Luckless Gilbert may get chance

NZPA-AAP Sydney The luckless Australian fast bowler, Dave Gilbert, may get his chance to play an active part in the World Series Cup finals at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday. Gilbert has been twelfth man in the two matches during the series in which the Australians have gone in with three fast bowlers, but that could change at the M.C.G. Craig McDermott, of Queensland, was the only

bowler not to excel at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday when the Australians ran through the awesome Indian batting line-up for 159. McDermott lacked rhythm, and surprisingly pace as he conceded 26 runs from five ineffectual overs. The captain, Allan Border, elected to bowl himself rather than risk the Indians getting on top of McDermott Gilbert was most consistent in his nine games

during the preliminaryrounds and deserves to be part of Sunday’s team which must have a great chance of clinching the World Series Cup in two straight matches. Gilbert was naturally disappointed but philosophical about his relegation to drinks waiter on Wednesday night “It was disappointing not to play but the team won and that was the main thing,” Gilbert said.*Tll just have to wait and see what happens on Sunday.”

There is a distinct possibility of course that both Gilbert and McDermott could be omitted if the selectors decide the M.C.G. wicket will take spin. The newly-appointed vice-captain, Ray Bright, could come into the side on his home ground and form a two-man spin attack with Greg Matthews. Dirk Wellham failed at No. 3, but the selectors are unlikely to tamper with the batting line-up and leave Australia with

a tail starting at No. 7 with the wicket-keeper, Tim Zoehrer. The Indian opener, Sunil Gavaskar, seems certain to play despite the inconvenience of a bruised thumb, injured when he dropped David Boon in the first over of the Australian innings. The success of Mohammed Azharuddin. . as a part-time mediumpacer in the last two matches against Australia indicates that , the Indians will not change their team.

Azharuddin took two . vital wickets on Wednesday night and -also a brilliant catch to dismiss Border, but the Indians must be wondering when he is going to find some form with the bat As often happens when a batsman is out of form, Azharuddin received a marvellous delivery from Matthews on Wednesday night The ball pitched well outside off stump, hit middle and leg and would, have defeated just about anyone.