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Ponting, Gilchrist will miss NZ series

Source: The Australian - February 10, 2007

Ever more serious questions have been raised about the credibility and future of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy after Australia rested captain Ricky Ponting and vice-captain Adam Gilchrist from the squad which flies to New Zealand next Wednesday.

Resting the two stars is a sensible move before the World Cup, which begins next month, but another blow to the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy concept, which has become an inconvenience to Cricket Australia little more than two years after its launch.

While Gilchrist is being given some time at home after playing every game of the tri-series one-dayers, Ponting is officially out because of a lingering back complaint, according to chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch.

The injury was not immediately apparent during Ponting's run-a-ball 75 in last night's first one-day final against England at the MCG, but he has a history of back problems.

"We have received medical advice that it would be prudent for Ricky Ponting to withdraw from competitive cricket in between the (tri-)series finals and the start of the World Cup," Hilditch said.

"While his sore back does not prevent him from playing cricket at present, we are advised that for Ricky to arrive at the World Cup in the best possible physical shape, his workload should be managed through this period. There is no question over Ricky's availability for the World Cup."

This stance was supported by team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris.

"Ricky Ponting has been suffering from a back injury throughout the summer and we see the period following the conclusion of the series finals as an important window of opportunity in ensuring he is fully fit for the World Cup," Kountouris said.

"While he is able to train and play, the injury causes him significant discomfort and we want to alleviate this before the start of what is a major tournament.

"Scans have cleared him of anything major and through the correct medical management we are confident of Ricky competing pain-free in the West Indies."

CA cricket operations manager Michael Brown said the management of player workload was a priority.

"We have communicated with players and coaches to understand the demands of international and domestic cricket and ensure players are prepared according to what lies ahead in their schedule," Brown said.

"The examples here highlight that management process."

Hilditch claimed Gilchrist needed a break.

"Adam Gilchrist has had a demanding summer and has performed brilliantly in both forms of the game," he said. "Our view is consistent with the management of player workload and, in conjunction with Adam, it is felt that he should use the period after the finals to allow his body to properly recover."

NSW gloveman Brad Haddin will again stand in for Gilchrist while Adam Voges, the West Australian named as cover for the third Test following Damien Martyn's retirement, will replace Ponting in the 13-man squad.

Mike Hussey will captain the team with Michael Clarke vice-captain, in what is a clear pointer to the future leadership of the national team. Hussey made his national one-day captaincy debut during a one-day tournament in Malaysia last September.

Voges said he was surprised to be selected.

"I've just been concentrating on the Warriors' Pura Cup campaign and to have something like this come out of the blue is pretty amazing," he said.

"Having the opportunity to be part of the Australian squad before the Ashes Test in Perth gave me a taste of international cricket and really gave me that extra motivation to continue to work hard on my game so I would get another chance to be a part of the Australian side.

"If I do get the chance to represent my country in New Zealand it'll be a great honour and definitely the highlight of my career so far."

The three-match Chappell-Hadlee Trophy is meant to alternate annually between Australia and New Zealand but will be held in New Zealand for a second successive season because Australia could not fit it into its program.

Former New Zealand coach and wicketkeeper Warren Lees, who is now a television commentator, said it was a shame the series was being downplayed because of the World Cup.

"You couldn't find two bigger names in trans-Tasman rivalry than the Chappells and Hadlees," Lees said. "It's very disappointing to see what's supposed to be a symbol of a great history so diminished and minimalised.

"And it's not just Australia. The trend for all teams these days is to prioritise the World Cup to such an extent that everything else becomes an irrelevance, and I don't think that's healthy. New Zealand did exactly the same thing earlier in the summer against Sri Lanka when they rested Stephen Fleming and Shane Bond. It's as if nothing between the World Cups matters any more.

"It's about time people remembered where the Pontings and the Gilchrists came from. They grew out of a culture and environment that was developed, to a large extent, by players like Ian and Greg Chappell, and Richard Hadlee."

Last season Australia's four-man selection panel, then headed by Trevor Hohns, attempted to rest Gilchrist and Glenn McGrath from the tournament immediately before Australia headed off for a tough tour of South Africa.

While McGrath was allowed to stay at home, CA chief executive James Sutherland insisted Gilchrist tour for the credibility of the tournament.

Exhausted and less than impressed, Gilchrist made three single-figure scores during the series.

- MALCOLM CONN