Cricket: Aussies expect Ponting back for tests

By RICHARD BOOCK

WELLINGTON - There was relief for Ricky Ponting and further joy for Matthew Hayden when the Australian test squad to play New Zealand was announced yesterday.

Ponting, who twisted his ankle in the last game of the Tri-nations finals, was not fit in time to join the record-seeking Australians on the one-day section of the New Zealand tour, but will be back in action for the first test, at Auckland starting March 11.

Not surprisingly, the selectors have placed their faith in the side who have won their past seven tests in succession - one less than the world record held by Wawrick Armstrong's 1920-21 Australians - with Hayden the only bolter in the 14-strong touring squad.

The 28-year-old Queenslander was walking on air earlier this week after being named as Ponting's replacement in the one-day side, and was again on cloud nine when the test squad was announced yesterday evening.

A left-handed opening batsman, Hayden has averaged 21.75 in seven tests and was dropped after scoring 64 runs at an average of 12.8 during the 1997 tour of South Africa.

"I knew I had to get runs," he said after hearing the news. "It was all I could give them, really. I'm not in the team yet so I'm not getting ahead of myself, but I'm naturally keen to take my chances.

"You get opportunities, but you don't get them forever."

The selectors have included seven specialist batsmen in the squad, and have found room in the attack for Queensland paceman Mike Kasprowicz, the dominant influence in this season's first-class competition.

Dropped to make way for Brett Lee during the series against India, Kasprowicz has already snared 49 first-class wickets this summer, but might be hard pressed to grab a starting berth ahead of Lee, Glenn McGrath and Damien Fleming.

As expected, there was no room for legspinner Stuart MacGill, although he would be here in a flash if Shane Warne was to injure himself, with the only other spin option coming from Colin Miller, who bowls either medium pace or offspin according to the conditions.

The second test is scheduled for Wellington from March 24, and the third at Hamilton from March 31.

Australia: Michael Slater, Greg Blewett, Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh (captain), Mark Waugh, Shane Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Damien Fleming, Glenn McGrath, Colin Miller, Mike Kasprowicz.