Cricket
England are relying on their interpretation of the World Cup's rules regarding injury after naming four players with recent ailments in their 15-man squad for this summer's tournament and next month's Sharjah trip.
Members of England's hierarchy met with World Cup organisers last week to determine exactly what the regulations were in reference to replacing an injured player both before and during the tournament, which begins on May 14.
The outcome of that meeting persuaded the selectors to take the gamble and name Michael Atherton, Graham Thorpe, Ian Austin, and Neil Fairbrother - all of whom have been affected by recent injuries - in their 15-man squad with an assurance they can replace any of them by May 2.
Even if players sustain injuries once the tournament has begun, they can still be replaced providing England can convince an independent panel of three doctors that the injury is serious enough to warrant a withdrawal.
Yet even with those safeguards in place and all four players undergoing a ''rigorous'' series of fitness tests in the next few weeks, it is a massive gamble with the opening match against Sri Lanka less than six weeks away.
The quartet will have to satisfy physio Wayne Morton of their fitness prior to England's departure for their Lahore training camp on March 29, which precedes the Sharjah event, or replacements will be named by March 15.
The only notable omission from the squad was Nasser Hussain, who is not only one of England's sharpest fielders but also played in 10 of the 12 matches of the one-day series in Australia. Squad:
AJ Stewart (Surrey, capt & wkt), MA Atherton (Lancashire), ID Austin (Lancashire), RDB Croft (Glamorgan), MA Ealham (Kent), NH Fairbrother (Lancashire), A Flintoff (Lancashire), ARC Fraser (Middlesex), D Gough (Yorkshire), GA Hick (Worcestershire), AJ Hollioake (Surrey), NV Knight (Warwickshire), AD Mullally (Leicestershire), GP Thorpe (Surrey), VP Wells (Leicestershire).
qScotland's World Cup campaign received a massive boost yesterday when Yorkshire all-rounder Gavin Hamilton was finally named as the last squad member.
Doubt had surrounded the
former West Lothian player's availability since he was included in England's provisional party last month. Hamilton, keen to pursue a Test career south of the border, had stated his preference to turn out for his adopted country where the rewards are far greater than those on offer in the amateur Scottish set-up.
However, that ambition was at least delayed at Lords yesterday morning when Hamilton was omitted from the final English squad. He was immediately confirmed in the place which had been left open when the Scottish selectors named their party three weeks ago.
Scotland coach Jim Love said: ''It's a fantastic boost for us. Gavin has enormous experience and tremendous ability. Obviously he wanted to take the professional option with England and I'm sure that chance will come, but for the moment he's 100% behind Scotland.''
qNew Zealand responded strongly to South Africa's mammoth first-innings total, but still have a mountain to climb after a record-breaking double century by Daryll Cullinan pushed the tourists to 621 for five.
The Kiwis finished the third day of the first Test in Auckland on 205 for two, still 416 runs behind and needing another 217 just to avoid the follow-on.
Matthew Horne, who had mixed aggression with defence, was not out on 92 and Craig McMillan was on 21.
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