‘Presumed dead-and-gone Oz cricketers’ still have plenty to offer: Roebuck

SYDNEY - Several Australian cricketers ‘presumed retired and quite possibly worse’ have returned to the domestic scene of battle to announce that they still have plenty to offer, noted cricket columnist Peter Roebuck has said.

Roebuck made this statement in a syndicated column for the Sydney Morning Herald after covering New South Wales’ five-wicket win over Western Australia in the National One-Day Cup clash in Sydney.

“Brett Lee was the first of the veterans to catch the eye. Looking trim, he began with a wide, but otherwise seemed in fine fettle. Steaming in from the Ray Lindwall end, Lee rapidly found his rhythm, and managed to keep the batsmen on their toes without exactly rushing or troubling them. The time to bury him has not come,” Roebuck wrote.

“Operating with the wind at his back, Lee bowled two spells before the changeover, and returned to contribute two further stints followed by a superb final over of a stuttering innings. He was quick enough on a sluggish track to stop opponents taking liberties. He sent down a few bumpers, fast and held back, several yorkers and slower deliveries without losing control,” he added.

He further said that wicketkeeper Brad Haddin was devastating in his comeback from injury to plunder 70 runs from 75 balls.

“At first, his feet were reluctant to obey orders, and he was a little lucky to survive the settling period. Not that he changed his approach. Just that his shots were sketchy. As time passed, though, fluency returned, and before long his signature straight drives were singeing the grass,” Roebuck wrote.Besides his batting, Haddin kept wickets capably and looked alert. Provided he stays fit, he is bound to play in the first Test,” he added.

Roebuck also praised fast bowler Stuart Clark for making his mark. (ANI)