Hauritz denies being ‘unavailable’ for 2009 Ashes-deciding Test

SYDNEY - Australian off-spinner Nathan Hauritz has denied rumours that he had declared himself unavailable for the 2009 Ashes-deciding Test at The Oval.

According to reports, the reasons for Hauritz’s alleged no-show ranged from a sore foot to a full-blown nervous breakdown.

“I have never made myself unavailable for a game of cricket in my life. I cannot believe where some of this stuff comes from,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Hauritz, as saying.It’s just not true. I haven’t even heard it. All anybody had to do was ask me. If that’s what people think, they think wrong.”

“Obviously I was injured on that tour, but I never made myself unavailable. There’s no way in the world,” he added.

Hauritz was ineffective in the recent Test series against India, averaging 65 for his six wickets in the two-match series. He also went wicketless in Australia’s five-wicket defeat in the second ODI in Visakhapatnam.

The 29-year-old is part of the provisional 17-man Ashes squad announced by Cricket Australia for the first Test to be played at the Gabba in Brisbane from November 25. (ANI)