Date:10/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/10/stories/2008031055562000.htm

Sport - Cricket

Players to undergo fitness tests

Mumbai: The players figured in the Commonwealth Bank tri-series will be asked to undergo fitness tests at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) before the selection of the Indian team for the first two Tests against South Africa.

In his four-page report to the BCCI, John Gloster, team’s physio in Australia, has named some cricketers and recommended a complete break from competitive cricket and a two-to-three week rest.

In Ishant Sharma’s case, Gloster has said that he should avoid even running for three weeks and that no compromise should be made.

“We have an excellent means now at the NCA in Bangalore. Dav Whatmore, Paul Chapman and Paul Close are based there and those who played the Test series in Australia have appeared for fitness assessments. Similarly those who played the tri-series will also undergo fitness tests,” said a BCCI official. — Special Correspondent