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Justin Langer's Postcards |
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THURSDAY 9 March 2000
Flemo's bad knees give Funky a walk-up start
You wouldn't be a fast bowler for anything would be my view! If it's not
a back injury, it might be a shoulder problem, a stress fracture or a
torn intercostal muscle. If you are Damien Fleming it might just be your
knees crying out for mercy and screaming for a break from the rigours of
international cricket. After a gruelling schedule of one-day cricket and
Test cricket, 'Flemo' is feeling the pinch, or at least his knees are
giving him more trouble at the moment than a grumpy mother-in-law.
While his injury isn't permanent or overly serious, he has been ruled
out of the first Test starting at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.
Naturally he would love to be out in the middle with the new ball in his
hand on Saturday morning, but everyone in charge has agreed that a
week's break will be as good a remedy as any for our experienced swing
bowler.
With the Eden Park pitch likely to turn square, Flemo's unfortunate
injury just makes the job of the selectors a little easier. Colin Miller
was set to play in this Test match anyway, so now Stephen, Shane and
'Buck' won't have to lose any sleep over which one of the other fast
bowlers would carry the drinks. Having Brett Lee in the team always adds
the fear factor to any opposition team and after the way he bowled this
week in Hamilton he looks set to have the New Zealanders jumping around,
no matter how slow the pitch may be.
Our preparation has been superb with everyone taking plenty of valuable
practice out of the last four days at Hamilton. Not only did every
player spend time in the middle, but we also won our first game of this
tour, a factor that is as important to a team's lead-up as any
individual's effort. Confidence is contagious and after an intense
training session this afternoon and a very thorough team meeting, we a
raring to go come Saturday.
There is so much for us to play for that we will be as ruthless as
possible in achieving our goal of winning our first Test series in New
Zealand for 24 years.
From Auckland, JL
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