Boomers to reunite for Cup qualifiers

THE Boomers are set to grace the court for the first time since their infamous “basketbrawl”, with World Cup qualifiers to be held in Victoria later this year.

Australia will face Kazakhstan on September 17 at Bendigo Stadium before the final two qualifiers at Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena.

The Boomers will be without Daniel Kickert, who is barred from five international matches for his role in the ugly brawl with the Philippines earlier this month.

The team’s 5-1 record in the first round of the qualifiers was overshadowed by the ugly scenes in Manila, which has left a question mark on Chris Goulding’s involvement against Kazakhstan.

Goulding received a oneinternational match ban from FIBA, but is yet to decide whether to appeal it.

Milwaukee Bucks star Thon Maker, who was hit with a ban of three international games, would have been tied up with NBA commitments regardless of the sanctions.

The Basketball Australia board met last week to consider the bans to the three players and the $135,000 fine for the organisation.

Basketball Australia intends to seek further legal advice before deciding whether to appeal the FIBA sanctions.

The Boomers will play Iran on November 30 and Qatar on December 3 to round off their qualifying campaign for next year’s World Cup in China.