November 01 Friday 2002
Law warns Aussies to show respect for England

BRISBANE: Senior Queensland batsman Stuart Law has warned the Australian Test team to show England respect when the Ashes cricket series begins at the Gabba here next Thursday.

Law, who has played the last seven English county seasons, said the young English squad was capable of testing Steve Waugh's Australians during the five-Test series.

Law will play in the Queensland team against the tourists in a three-day match at Allan Border Field from Saturday.

"They're a good young side and the young players coming through can play some decent cricket," Law said on Thursday.

"Their form hasn't been outstanding on tour so far but the Australians have to show them plenty of respect, and I have no doubt they will.

"We (Queensland) are looking forward to playing against them, even though the touring teams traditionally treat them as practice matches because they're only three days."

England will receive a solid guide to its Ashes chances when it meets a Queensland team boasting the likes of Law, Michael Kasprowicz, Jimmy Maher, Andrew Symonds, Nathan Hauritz and Martin Love.

Test players Matthew Hayden and Andrew Bichel were unavailable for the match.

Hauritz will feature in a bowling attack including Kasprowicz, Ashley Noffke and Joe Dawes.

Law said the Queenslanders had a sound knowledge of the English squad with many of the home players spending time in the UK during this year.

Law, Maher, Kasprowicz, Love, Noffke and Symonds have played with county teams in the last two seasons.

"We've either played against this touring squad or seen plenty of them on TV so it should give us a fair idea of how they play," Law said.

"We've had a good record against touring teams in the past, although probably more so against other teams than England." 

Meanwhile, Test paceman Bichel is ready for one of his most important career moments next week if selectors prefer him to Brett Lee for the Ashes opener. 

Bichel has waited more than five years to play against England after a back injury on the 1997 Ashes tour ruined his first chance. 

The 32-year-old Queenslander is desperate to play on his home ground after becoming Australia's reliable back-up quick, taking 19 wickets at an average of just 17.16 in his second life as a Tesbowler. 

But Bichel must wait for selectors to decide whether he is a better option to support frontline pacemen Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie than the erratic Lee. 

"I was really motivated to play against England in that Ashes tour but I had to come home after five weeks," Bichel said. 

"I feel I'm a more complete bowler compared to back then and I know a lot more about my own game. 

"They're still the team to play against and I've spent a fair bit of time playing over there in league and county cricket. 

"To play them on your home track would be great."