CANBERRA, Reuter: Fast bowler Craig McDermott won back his Australian test place, coming into the squad in place of spinner Ray Bright whose long experience of playing at the Melbourne Cricket Ground failed to save him,
‘The fourth test starts at the MCG on Friday with Australia having to beat England if they are to retain a chance of recapturing the ashes. England leads match series 10.
Allan Borde, Australia’s Captain, made it clear after the third test in A divide that he wanted a third strike bowler to join Bruce Reid and Merry Hughes for the match in Melbourne. But while the selectors have granted him his wish in this respect, they did not heed his call to be given a squad of 13 players and the axe fell on Bright, the Captain of Victoria who was called ‘up at Adelaide but did not play.
Wicketkeeper Tim Zoehrer, injured on the eve of the third test has been selected subject to a fitness test on his damaged right shoulder.
‘Once they had agreed to pick an extra fast bowler, the selectors’ only decision was almost certainly whether to pick McDermott, still only 21 or Mike Whitney, the new South Wales medium fast bowler who undid England straight after they won the first test.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 26, 1986
