October 09 Wednesday 2002
Williams to replace Gillespie for Pak Tests

MELBOURNE, Australia: Fast bowler Brad Williams will replace injured Jason Gillespie for Australia's final two Tests against Pakistan in Sharjah, the Australian Cricket Board said on Tuesday.

Gillespie strained his right calf on the final day of Australia's 41-run victory in the first Test in Colombo on Monday.

Williams, 27, has never played Test cricket, although he did make his One-day International debut last season. He impressed the selectors on the recent Australia A tour to South Africa.

Williams, who left on Tuesday to join his team-mates, has claimed 156 wickets at 30.48 in 43 first-class matches for Victoria and Western Australia and is regarded as one of the quickest bowlers in Australia. But paceman Andy Bichel or off-spinner Nathan Hauritz are more likely replacements for Gillespie for the second Test starting in Sharjah on 
Friday. The Test series was shifted out of Pakistan because of security concerns.