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October 23, 2002
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News Roll
  Ashes series
Michael Vaughan could miss England's next two warm-up matches after suffering a setback on his comeback from injury.

The opener underwent knee surgery at the end of the domestic season in a bid to be fit for the start of the tour of Australia.

But on Wednesday he was ruled out of England's two-day match against Western Australia to further exacerbate coach Duncan Fletcher's injury crisis.

On Tuesday, England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was sent to the National Academy in Adelaide in a bid to speed up his rehabilitation from hernia surgery.


Australia captain Steve Waugh cannot wait for the Ashes series to start after humbling Pakistan in a 3-0 whitewash.

Waugh has warned England his team are at the top of their game.

They beat Pakistan with ease, recording two innings victories in the three Tests.

Waugh said after winning the final Test in Sharjah on Tuesday: "It's a big thing to play for Australia and we can never be complacent.

"I was a bit surprised we won the last two Tests so easily, but overall it was an excellent performance.

"We are ready to go for the Ashes."


Darren Lehmann knows he's close to Test selection but admitted today it will take a "tough call" to oust Mark Waugh.

Lehmann flew into Adelaide from Sharjah today, released early from the Australian squad to lead South Australia against NSW in the Pura Cup match from Friday.

After sitting through the three-Test series against Pakistan, it's his one chance in a four-day match to show he's in the right form to earn selection for the first Test against England at the 'Gabba strating on November 7.

If he gets the nod, it will almost certainly come at the expense of Waugh, who has endured another disappointing series against Pakistan.

"Everyone's dream is to play in an Ashes Test series," Lehmann said.

  Sri Lanka in South Africa
Sri Lanka have added left-arm paceman Ruchira Perera to their squad for the forthcoming tour to South Africa.

He took five wickets in the first Test against England at Lord's earlier this year, but his action was then reported to the International Cricket Council and he did not play again in the series.

Perera was chosen ahead of Kaushalya Weeratne, despite captain Sanath Jayasuriya lobbying on behalf of the latter.

The squad has been the subject of controversy ever since the original 16 names were announced earlier this month.

Government Sports Minister Johnston Fernando refused to ratify the list of names because of concerns about the number of youngsters chosen.

There are three uncapped players in Thilina Thushara, who is considered the fastest bowler in the country, all-rounder Hasantha Fernando and Tharanga Lakshita.


Sri Lankan cricket captain Sanath Jayasuriya has acknowledged that his top order will have to show more application in the absence of Aravinda de Silva who recently retired from Test cricket.

Asked on Tuesday whether Russel Arnold in particular would be called upon to shoulder more responsibility during the two-Test tour, Jayasuriya replied: "Without Aravinda, all the batsmen will have to take on extra responsibility."

De Silva though is almost certain to be part of the limited overs squad that will play five ODIs following the Centurion Test.

As important as the Test series will be, the Sri Lankans will in all likelihood view the ODI series as of even greater importance. The series will play a significant part in their preparation for the World Cup next year.

  Miscellaneous
The Australians are heading home in fits and starts to prepare for the Gabba. Warne and Steve Waugh are stopping off in India, the captain for philanthropic purposes and the leg-spinner to film a television commercial with Sachin Tendulkar.


Easterns' all-rounder Andrew Hall has been withdrawn from the South African squad to play in the Hong Kong Sixes on 2-3 November in order for him to play in the Supersport Series final against Western Province in Benoni from 1-5 November.

He has been replaced in the South African Sixes squad by EP Jumbos all-rounder Justin Kemp.

Squad:
Gerald Dros (Northerns) capt, Loots Bosman (Griquas), Justin Kemp (EP); Lance Klusener (KZN), Alfonso Thomas (North West), Johan van der Wath (Free State), Henry Williams (Boland)

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