Sport - Cricket

Tait makes probables list

Melbourne: Right-arm pacer Shaun Tait is back in the mix as Australia on Thursday announced a list of 30 probables for the Champions Trophy scheduled in Pakistan from September 11-28.

Tait, who sought a sabbatical from international cricket in January citing mental and physical exhaustion, is set to be back in action in Pakistan even though fellow paceman Ben Hilfenhaus was ruled out due to injury.

“Ben Hilfenhaus was not considered for selection as he recovers from injury, while Shaun Tait has been included as he continues his extensive rehabilitation programme to resume playing cricket. Shaun had a significant impact in our World Cup victory and at his best is a formidable weapon in one-day cricket,” chief selector Andrew Hilditch said.

Young spinner Beau Casson got the boot while rookie quartet of Xavier Doherty, Ryan Harris, Brett Geeves and Tim Paine found a mention in recognition of their successful Ford Ranger Cup seasons last year.

Sri Lanka’s cricket selectors on Thursday included pacemen Lasith Malinga and Farveez Maharoof in a 30-man preliminary squad for the ICC Champions Trophy tournament in September.

Malinga (knee) and Maharoof (side strain) were both unfit for the recent Asia Cup tournament, won by their team in Karachi on Sunday.

Sri Lanka also picked spin sensation Ajantha Mendis, who grabbed six wickets for 13 runs in the Asia Cup final to guide his side to a 100-run victory over India.

Troubled Pakistani fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif have been included in their country’s 30-man preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy.

Both players have recently run foul of the Pakistan Cricket Board with Shoaib banned for 18 months for disciplinary reasons, and Asif the subject of an internal inquiry after being detained in Dubai for 19 days over a drug-related incident.

Chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed, however, confirmed the pair had been included in their preliminary squad for the September tournament, which is being held in Pakistan. — Agencies

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