Young Bushrangers Must Cover White's Loss
The Age
Wednesday November 28, 2007
VICTORIA'S young side must step up in today's Ford Ranger Cup match against NSW at the MCG to cover the loss of skipper Cameron White, who will miss six weeks with a broken foot.
White had a pin inserted in the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot on Monday night after breaking it last Friday night against Queensland.But acting captain Brad Hodge believes that, even against a star-studded NSW line-up that includes returning Australian players Brett Lee, Brad Haddin, Stuart Clark and Nathan Bracken, Victoria's young side will enjoy what looms as a "real good test for everyone". He dismissed suggestions yesterday that only he and middle-order batsman David Hussey must step into the breach, saying the rest of the side also had to shoulder responsibility."Yeah, it's a good attack. You look at it on paper and it's a real good attack. You've got four quicks and a good spinner, so maybe it'll be a real test for us. We're a young side and we've got some players out," Hodge said."I think that (responsibility) is something I have personally had to take on for many years now and I'm sure that David's feeling he's moved up in the stakes as well. It's just a matter of everyone trying to do a little bit more. You lose your captain and people have to put their hand up and do something a little bit special."The Bushrangers have been given a slight reprieve, with three other Australians - batsmen Phil Jaques and Michael Clarke and spinner Stuart MacGill - missing the match. MacGill will miss because of his continuing knee problems, Jaques has the mumps and Clarke has been rested on the request of the national selectors.But Clarke is expected to return for the Pura Cup match starting on Friday, but Lee will step aside.Victorian team physiotherapist Justin Steer said White would be out until after Christmas. "He'll be on crutches, hobbling around for two weeks and then he can start his rehab after that. He won't be back bowling or running till about the four-week mark," Steer said. "He went into the game with a stress fracture, so it was partially broken through. We were hoping it was something he could carry through the season." VICTORIA: B Hodge (capt), M Klinger, A Blizzard, D Hussey, A McDonald, R Quiney, A Crosthwaite, J Hastings, S Harwood, B McGain, D Nannes, A Wise (12th man). NSW: S Katich (capt), P Hughes, E Cowan, P Forrest, B Haddin, D Thornely, M Henriques, B Lee, N Hauritz, N Bracken, S Clark, D Bollinger.
© 2007 The Age