Clarke’s inclusion un-Australian: Dravid
New Delhi: Former India captain Rahul Dravid has expressed surprise at the inclusion of Michael Clarke in the Australian squad for the upcoming World Cup despite injury concerns, terming the decision of the selectors as “un-Australian”. Clarke has not played since picking up a hamstring injury in the first Test against India in Adelaide in early December last, and he has been given a deadline of February 21, when Australia play Bangladesh in Brisbane, by the selectors to prove his fitness. “I just hope it is not an emotional decision. You just felt they had to take this decision. It’s almost a very un-Australian decision. We’ve seen the Australian selectors take some very emotional decisions especially with Michael Clarke,” Dravid said. “Even with the decision to allow him to play in the Test match, you can understand that. That can be distracting to the rest of the squad. How they manage that environment and everything around that will be their biggest challenge in the lead up to the World Cup,” he was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. Dravid said Steven Smith can fill in for Clarke without weakening the Australian side. “Clarke has been a very good performer for them. But without him being in the squad and bring Smith into it, they don’t look a weaker side at all. In fact some people may argue they actually look a better side with Smith bringing energy to fielding department. Smith is as good a player of spin in the middle overs as Clarke and in the best form of his life,” said the former Indian captain.
Zimbabwe restore Waller, Campbell for World Cup
Harare: Ahead of the World Cup, Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) on Friday restored Andy Waller as coach of its national cricket team seven months after he was dismissed from the post. Another former national team and Under-19 coach Walter Chawaguta has been appointed fielding coach for the team during the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, reports Xinhua. ZC board chairman Wilson Manase also announced the appointment of former captain Alistair Campbell as managing director of ZC’s cricket affairs. Campbell will oversee the day-to-day running of the game in the country and will also assist in looking for sponsorship for the cash strapped association. “We have assigned Andy Waller to the position of batting coach while Walter Chawaguta will be the fielding coach,” said Manase. “We will review the situation after the World Cup and if we feel it is the best thing for Waller to continue as batting coach, he will be offered a long term contract.