Double trouble for England

Fast bowlers Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee are both expected to be fit to take part in the Travelex Australian Tour of the UK 2001 after undergoing fitness assessments in Sydney on Saturday. Gillespie, who was named in the squads for both the one-day international series with England and Pakistan and the five-Test Ashes series that follows, is returning to action after suffering a stress reaction in his left foot. That injury ruled him out of the recent one-day series in India.

And Lee, chosen for his first Test series with England, is on the comeback trail after suffering an elbow injury during the Carlton Series match with Zimbabwe in Perth in early February which required surgery.

Both men were examined by Australian Team Doctor Trefor James. Then, they went through their paces in a 90 minute work-out under the watchful eyes of James, physiotherapists Errol Alcott and Patrick Farhart and Chairman of Selectors Trevor Hohns.

That work-out involved fitness work under the guidance of Australian Team Fitness Advisor Jock Campbell, as well as two bowling spells each and fielding drills, all conducted in the indoor nets at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Afterwards, Hohns said: "We are very happy with the progress both players have made and we would expect them to take their places in their respective touring parties providing they suffer no adverse reactions to this session.

"The work-out for both Brett and Jason is all part of the process they have been going through for several weeks in building back up to full fitness.

"It was necessary they went through this for both their own sakes and for the sakes of the selectors and medical staff as it was important to have a look at them ahead of an important tour and make sure everything was going to plan, which it appears to be.

"The fact they both appear to be fine is very good news for Australia as it means that with Glenn McGrath on board as well then the fast bowling attack we could put out for the Test series would be our best for some time," added Hohns.

Brett Lee said: "The session went very well, I'm very confident I'm back to full fitness and I'm very happy with that. The operation was a success as they joined together bone that was seperated for seven years and I feel really strong.

"It's hard to know where I'm at in terms of the pace I'm bowling, but the signs are okay and I feel just fantastic."

Lee will now continue to work on his fitness ahead of his departure for the Test series.

"It will be like doing my pre-season work to get back to full fitness for the Ashes series," he said.

"It's been my dream to play in a series against England and I just can't wait," added Lee.

Jason Gillespie said: "That session was great, I felt really strong and energetic. I had a couple of good spells of bowling and was happy to get through them.

"It was frustrating to have to miss the one-day series in India but I'm now looking on that as a short-term loss for a long-term gain. I enjoyed being part of the UK tour in 1997 and now I'm just looking for another successful trip this time around."

Gillespie and his team-mates in the one-day international squad will fly out of Sydney on Saturday 26 May.

The Test players, including Lee, are due to depart Australia on 18 June.

Australia's involvement in the NatWest-sponsored one-day international series starts against Pakistan on 9 June in Cardiff. It then plays England at Bristol (10 June), England at Old Trafford (14 June - day-night), Pakistan at Chester-Le-Street (16 June), Pakistan at Trent Bridge (19 June - day-night) and England at The Oval (21 June) with the final set to take place at Lord's on 23 June.

The npower-sponsored Ashes series begins with the first Test at Edgbaston on 5 July. The other Tests will be played at Lord's (19-23 July), Trent Bridge (2-6 August), Headingley (16-20 August) and The Oval (23-27 August).

Mail Cricket Editor