da bet7： Darren Lehmann has been ruled out of the fourth Orange Testmatch against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground aftersuffering a severe infection in his right leg
Australian Cricket Board25-Dec-2002Darren Lehmann has been ruled out of the fourth Orange Testmatch against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground aftersuffering a severe infection in his right leg.In his absence, Queensland batsman Martin Love is set to makehis Test debut.Lehmann is making good progress in his recovery from theinfection, which is believed to have developed when bacteriaentered his system through a small blister in his right foot.However, it is expected he will still need to remain in hospital forseveral days as he continues to receive intravenous antibiotictreatment.Australian team medical officer Dr Trefor James said: “Darren isfeeling much better today but is still unwell. He has been feelingachy and tired and has been sleeping a lot more than normal.”We believe the infection developed from a common bacteria andhe has just been unlucky with it getting into his system.”Dr James added it was too early at this stage to speculate aboutLehmann’s availability for the fifth Orange Test match, whichbegins at the Sydney Cricket Ground on 2 January.The infection appeared just a day after Lehmann made 119against Sri Lanka in a VB Series match in Perth, a match in whichhe was vice-captain in the absence of Adam Gilchrist.Commenting on his situation, Darren Lehmann said: “Obviouslyit’s a massive disappointment to miss out on one of thehighlights of the cricketing year, the Boxing Day Test, with a fullhouse at the MCG.”It’s all the more disappointing because of the way things hadbeen going for me lately with that hundred in Perth.”I started to feel unwell on Monday night but now I’m beginningto feel better and less achy.”For me it’s now a case of looking forward to getting back andplaying cricket again as soon as possible.”I also want to wish Martin all the best. He thoroughly deserveshis chance and I’m sure he’ll do well.”Love is set to step into the side in Lehmann’s place withimpressive credentials.The 28 year-old has passed 10,000 career runs in first-classcricket during the summer and averages more than 50 in thatform of the game.Now in his second season as an Australian Cricket Boardcontracted player, Love is also the leading run-scorer in firstclass cricket this term with 781 runs at an average of 130.16.That haul includes two double hundreds against the touringEnglish side – 250 for Queensland and 201 not out for Australia A- as well as 190 in his latest innings, against Tasmania.Those performances follow on from his efforts last summer whenhe was the leading run-scorer in Pura Cup cricket with 1108 runsat 65.17.A debut for Love would see him become the 385th player torepresent Australia at Test match level.Martin Love said: You don’t wish illness on any player in order toget a game and fingers crossed Darren’s going to get well assoon as possible. At this stage I’m just filling in for him for onegame.”It’s a very exciting time for me. You look at the Boxing DayTest on the television and to actually have a chance of playingin one is really special.”The runs have been coming quite well for me and I’ve beenhitting the ball as well as have in my career so the chance toplay now is good timing. I’m delighted to get an opportunity.”I started my career with Queensland batting at six and althoughit’s a bit different from batting at three, where I go in now, it willgive me the chance to soak up a bit of the atmosphere aroundthe Test”I would bat at 11 if it meant I got the chance to play. As it is,I’ll have five very good cricketers going in ahead of me and Ihope I can do myself and the team justice.”I field at first slip for Queensland and with Warney out of theside it looks as though I’ll slot in there so that no-one else hasto change their positions so that makes sense.”The fourth Orange Test match starts on 26 December, withAustralia leading 3-0 in the five-match series after wins inBrisbane, Adelaide and Perth.