Tendulkar, Agarkar pull out

MUMBAI, FEB. 18. Mumbai skipper Sachin Tendulkar and pace bowler Ajit Agarkar have opted out of the much-awaited three-day match between Mumbai and Australia, scheduled at the Cricket Club of India from February 22 to 24.

The confirmation came in the form of a letter from Indian team physio Andrew Leipus faxed to the Mumbai Cricket Association on Sunday morning, requesting the MCA to allow these two injured players to opt out of the match against the Aussies.

According to the MCA Joint Honorary Secretary, Prof R.S. Shetty, the letter from Leipus, sent on the advice of Indian coach John Wright, says that Tendulkar complained of a calf muscle injury and Agarkar is down with an ankle injury which he sustained during the conditioning camp at Chennai.

``Leipus has conveyed Wright's request to us to leave out these two from the three-day match against the Aussies at the CCI in the interests of Indian cricket, so that Tendulkar and Agarkar can be fit for the first Test (from February 27 in Mumbai). It is disappointing but nothing can be done about it,'' said the MCA official, informing that replacements for these two withdrawals will be announced on Monday.

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Section  : Sport
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