da bet7k： The New Zealand coach John Bracewell will consider the last-minutecall-ups Peter Fulton and Gareth Hopkins for Thursday’s first Test againstAustralia following the team’s disappointing warm-up form
Peter English17-Nov-2008
Gareth Hopkins made his Test debut in England this year and is in the mix for the Gabba © Getty Images
The New Zealand coach John Bracewell will consider the last-minutecall-ups Peter Fulton and Gareth Hopkins for Thursday’s first Test againstAustralia following the team’s disappointing warm-up form. The touristswere dismissed for 266 and 256 in the six-wicket loss to New South Wales and theirpreparations were hurt further with foot and back injuries to thewicketkeeper Brendon McCullum and a virus to Jesse Ryder.Bracewell expects McCullum, who was cleared of a foot fracture, to be fit- “He’ll be uncomfortable, but he’ll tough it out” – while Ryderrecovered enough to take part in New Zealand’s second innings. “There arecertainly places open,” Bracewell said in Sydney. “We’re now at a fullsquad with Hopky and Pete coming over, and we’d be foolish not to bringthem into the mix of selection.”Given that they’ve had a bit of weather up there [in Brisbane], we’llneed to have a look at the surface and take a lot of things intoconsideration before we make our final decision.”Brisbane was hit by fierce storms on Sunday night and more rain isexpecting during the week, increasing the prospects of a pace-friendlypitch. With the conditions likely to offer movement, Bracewell hoped hisswing bowlers could gain an advantage over Australia’s in-to-the-wicketoperators.”I’d like to think that, but we have to get up there and see how it goesfirst,” he said. “Our guys are swing bowlers, there’s no doubt about it,and over the last couple of years they’ve bowled very well in swingingconditions. But having said that, Brett Lee at pace when he swings it is ahandful in any conditions.”New Zealand have not beaten the hosts in Australia since 1985-86, whenthey won the series 2-1, and Bracewell knows the difficulties his sidefaces over the next two weeks. “A win against any Australian side isprecious,” he said. “It’s our Everest, there’s no doubt about that. Theguys are looking forward to it.”They are rightly nervous, and at times anxious, because that’s what youget when you face your biggest challenge in cricket. I’m not discouragingthat. As they say: ‘Get the butterflies flying in the right order and information.'”