IPL blamed for Ashes debacle

the Indian Premier League is now being blamed for injuries suffered by their leading players Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff

IPL blamed for Ashes debacle

With England's woes worsening by the day in the run-up to the fifth and final Ashes Test next week, the Indian Premier League is now being blamed for injuries suffered by their leading players Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff last April.

In the Lord's Test, Pietersen aggravated his Achilles tendon injury sustained in the tournament, which has rendered him out of action from the ongoing Test, and forthcoming one-day, series against Australia.

Pietersen has an infection of the scar tissue following an operation to his Achilles tendon. Flintoff broke down with a knee injury in the IPL and has since made a fitful return to the England Test squad.

Iconic all-rounder Flintoff was controversially overlooked for the fourth Test at Headingley, which Australia won by an innings and 80 runs inside 2 u00bd days but has been cleared by his surgeon to make a farewell Test appearance at the Oval a week from today.

Meanwhile England's batsmen are reportedly praying that Australian pace bowler Stuart Clark is left out of the Australian team for the crucial final Test.

Stuart has dismissed their stalwarts Alastair Cook and Paul Collingwood five times each in five out of six Tests he has played against them (skipper Andrew Strauss, too, has fallen to the lanky pace bowler four times in six Tests).

A debate is raging as to whether 33-year old Stuart Clark should be included in Australia's final eleven in what is termed a 'delicate balancing act'.

With fast bowlers Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus assured of their places on the basis of performances in the Test series so far, the selectors face the dilemma of picking either Clark or spinner Nathan Hauritz on a wicket expected to take turn.

Former Australian Test fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz said yesterday: "He (Clark) has such a fabulous record against England and he is absolutely a big part of Australia's future.

"But I guess the selection will be a team balance sort of thing. The wicket is the sort of wicket that does turn, and you have to have the variety that a spinner provides."

Clark has a career average of 18.44 against England. He played a crucial role in Australia's win at Headingley, taking three wickets for five in 21 balls in the first innings, but Hauritz has had an impressive Ashes series with 10 wickets at an average of 32 in the first three Tests.

Following his outstanding performance at Headingley, the Australian selection committee came in for severe criticism for leaving Stuart Clark out of the first three Tests.

If the selectors decide to go with Hauritz, as hinted by chairman Andrew Hilditch, and Australia lose the Test u2014 and therefore the Ashes they will be crucified, as happened in 2005 when Australia memorably surrendered the historic urn to their traditional rivals.

(Source: Agency and media reports).