Mickey Arthur concerned over injuries ahead of New Zealand series – Cricket News Update
Australia’s newly-appointed Coach, Mickey Arthur, has expressed grave concerns over the fitness problems of at least five key players who will not be able to play the upcoming home Test series against New Zealand.
With the 1st Test match starting from December 1, the top-order batting duo of Shane Watson and Shaun Marsh is not available due to hamstring and back injuries respectively. In the bowling line-up, the key pace trio including Mitchell Johnson,
Pat Cummins and Ryan Harris is out of action. Harris has pelvis trouble while Johnson and Cummins are enduring foot injury each.
All these players suffered during the recently-concluded South Africa tour which proved to be not so good for the Aussies as they registered the fourth lowest total of a Test innings of their history.
The first ever overseas coach is of the view that tight schedule has not given enough time to the players to get rejuvenated and fix their fitness issues. He fears that this situation may cost them in the series.
Talking to the media today Arthur said, “We unfortunately suffered some injuries during the recent Test series against South Africa. With such a short turnaround time between series, five players who were involved in the (South Africa) series will not fully
recover in time to play the first Test against New Zealand.”
The team’s physiotherapist, Alex Kountouris, added, “Ryan Harris is recovering from the pelvis injury that kept him out of the second Test against South Africa. He is making good progress but has not returned to bowling as yet and is therefore unavailable
to play the first Test against New Zealand.”
Despite these odds, the team management is trying to bring at least Harris and Marsh to action so that they can defend the in-form Black Caps confidently.
This series is going to be Arthur’s first task as the Kangaroo coach and he is keen to get through it successfully. The 43-year-old South African has also coached his national team. He played 110 First-Class and 150 List A games from 1986 to 2001. By appointing
Arthur, the Oz team is eyeing to regain top Test rank,
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