November 04 Monday 2002
Test fitness worries for Australia over Gillespie 

BRISBANE: Australia's cricketers arrived in Brisbane on Sunday to prepare for next week's first test against England with concerns about the fitness of fast bowler Jason Gillespie. 

The lanky paceman was sent home from Australia's recent series with Pakistan after injuring a calf muscle and, despite playing in a domestic limited-overs match on Saturday, is still short of full fitness. 

Gillespie told reporters in Brisbane he was aching from bowling just 10 overs the previous day and wanted to test his fitness with a full training session on Monday with the first test scheduled to start at the Gabba on Thursday. "My calf pulled up a little bit stiff but that was to be expected," he said. "It didn't pull up sore where I actually strained it and I'm happy with that. "I'm sore all over from not a lot of bowling in the last few weeks but I'm feeling very confident (of playing). 

"But I want to have a really good bowl on Tuesday after a light bowl tomorrow and see how I pull up." If Gillespie was passed fit, he would be certain to be selected in the Australia's team with the selectors forced to choose between fellow pacemen Brett Lee and Andy Bichel. 

Lee is Australia's fastest bowler but has been struggling for form since returning from injury while the less explosive Bichel is a Brisbane local with a history of success at the Gabba. 

"It's going to be a tough decision for selectors," Australian captain Steve Waugh said. "Brett bowled really well in the second innings (against Pakistan) in Sharjah. He bowled a good line, and Andy was great in both test matches." The Australians caught a sneak preview of the England team when they arrived at Allan Border Oval to watch the second day of the tourists' three-day match against Queensland. 

It was another frustrating day for the visitors who are yet to win a match on tour, their bowlers being hammered by the Queensland batsmen as Martin Love top-scored with a magnificent 250. 

But Waugh said he had warned his players not to judge England on their early tour form. "You don't want to read too much into these games because they're not a good indication of what might happen in the first test," he said. "From our point of view, it's pretty good, but England have had the chance to work a few things out in the field. 

"They can take some positives from what's going on. It's not a complete loss. "I played in that 1986-87 series that we lost and I don't remember England's form being that crash-hot before the series. "You don't want to peak in these games -- you want to work things out and get little bits and pieces right."