November 05 Tuesday 2002
Gilchrist hospitalised for infected elbow

BRISBANE: Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist is being treated in hospital for an infected elbow, just three days before the first Ashes Test against England starts in Brisbane. 

Gilchrist, 30, has been hooked up to an intravenous antibiotic drip and will remain in hospital overnight, the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) said in a statement released on Monday. 

The 30-year-old vice-captain, who averages 58.51 and has made six Test centuries, is expected to be fit to play on Thursday. 

"We have every confidence at this stage that Adam should be right for the Test if he responds to the treatment as we hope he will," team physiotherapist Errol Alcott said. 

The problem arose on Saturday when Gilchrist complained of tenderness on his elbow. 

The area became more uncomfortable when he joined the team camp in Brisbane on Sunday and he was sent to hospital on Monday. 

"It's frustrating not being able to train straight away and interrupt the build-up to the Test match but I'm working on the basis this is a frustration and nothing more," Gilchrist said. 

Gilchrist added he expected to be fully fit on Thursday. The ACB said it had not placed another wicketkeeper on standby.