November 02 Saturday 2002
NSW side comparable to Pakistan: Fleming 

ADELAIDE: The New South Wales state side to play South Australia in a one-day game on Saturday appears a stronger batting line-up than the Pakistan national team, former Test bowler Damien Fleming said on Friday.

"We were just talking about the Pakistan team. It looks pretty good against that," South Australia's Fleming told reporters in Adelaide on Friday. 

"It's outstanding isn't it, you've got to be honest and as a bowler that's a challenge." Australia swept Pakistan 3-0 in a three-Test series in Colombo and Sharjah earlier this month. 

Pakistan were all out for 59 and 53 in the second Test, losing by an innings and 198 runs inside two days and prompting Australia selector Allan Border to say most second-grade Sydney club sides could do better. 

The New South Wales team on Saturday will include Steve and Mark Waugh and Michael Bevan, all veterans of Australia's 1999 World Cup-winning side against Pakistan at Lord's. 

Steve is the second most-capped player in Test history with 151 appearances, while Mark, who retired from international cricket this week, is fifth with 128. 

Steve remains Test captain and said this week he was hopeful of regaining a place in the one-day team for next year's World Cup defence in South Africa. 

Fleming, 32, a right-arm fast medium bowler who has taken 75 wickets at 25.89 in 20 Tests, crossed from Victoria to South Australia before the 2002-03 domestic season. He also played in the World Cup final of 1999, taking one for 30 off six overs.