Shane Lee to replace Gillespie

By Malcolm Conn and Brian Murgatroyd

BANGALORE, MARCH 24. Fast bowler Jason Gillespie, Australia's most whole-hearted player in the recent, tense Test series loss, has been sent home to rest and prepare for the Ashes series later this year. He will be replaced in the 14-man squad by all-rounder Shane Lee, who will join the team in Mumbai before the second one-day match in Pune on Wednesday.

Paceman Michael Kasprowicz was originally placed on standby but has now joined Gillespie and three other Test players - Colin Miller, Michael Slater and Justin Langer - on the flight home.

Gillespie missed the entire one-day series in Australia earlier this year because of injury, prompting concerns about his workload on this tour following a lack of preparation. The South Australian played in all three Tests during the recent series against India taking 13 wickets, with only Glenn McGrath (17) capturing more for Australia.

However the 25-year-old already has a worrying injury history and the team hierarchy have decided not to risk him during a cluttered 5-match one-day series. Gillespie's physical condition was reviewed on Friday in Chennai by Australian team physiotherapist Errol Alcott, who made the final decision to preserve the quality quick for Australia's five-Test series against England. It will be preceded by seven one-day matches.

``Jason began the tour with little bowling under his belt in the month before we left because of an injury to his left hamstring tendon, something that has not flared up again while we have been in India,'' Alcott said.

''He had an injection in his left ankle ahead of the first Test in Mumbai after he experienced some discomfort and it responded well, with the ankle giving him little trouble after that. ``On the fourth day of the third Test in Chennai his left foot landed awkwardly in a foothole and he felt some slight discomfort in that foot afterwards''.

''None of these problems would stop him playing and we are delighted that after all the setbacks Jason has had to endure during his career he has now played seven Test matches in a row. That figure is a testament not only to his ability but also to his strength of character.

However, it was felt that it would be in the best interests of both Jason and Australian cricket if he were to head home now. That means he can rest ahead of a potentially gruelling tour of the U.K.''

Gillespie was disappointed about being sent home early from another tour, claiming that his body had never felt so good. ``I've pulled up a bit sore after the Test series and the team medical staff are taking a very cautious approach with me given that I came into the tour with very little cricket in January,'' he said.

''I don't believe I've got any serious problems and I could have played, but this is a safety first approach to make sure I'm alright for the Ashes tour. This means I'm missing more cricket and that's upsetting, particularly as I'm feeling good about my form''.

``But there is a positive about this and it's that the powers that be are looking out for my best interests and I'm really grateful for that,'' said Gillespie. ``Realistically the tour has been a failure as we lost 2-1 in the series''.

''As for my personal form, I'm disappointed with the way I batted but there were some positives from my bowling. I felt I bowled pretty well without luck at times, but maybe you make your own luck''.

``The bottom line is I'm disappointed we lost the Test series but now my next target is being part of a side that retains the Ashes this winter.''

Darren Lehmann, Ian Harvey, Michael Bevan, Andrew Symonds and Nathan Bracken are all recent arrivals for the one- day series, which starts in Bangalore On Sunday with a day-night game. The other matches in the series are at Pune (March 28), Indore (March 31), Vizag (April 3) and Goa (April 6).

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