Waugh on schedule Why Dusty opted out Aussie Walker on ice Correction
AUSTRALIAN selector Mark Waugh has lamented the length of the limited-overs tour of India given its proximity to the Ashes. Australia have been competing against India in one-day internationals since September 17 ahead of wrapping up the Twenty20 series today. For some players it’s been backto-back tours after last month’s two-Test series in Bangladesh, with just a short break ahead before the Sheffield Shield season begins on October 26. Waugh, who’s in India with the side, would prefer players had more time off ahead of the Australian summer and a longer preparation for red-ball cricket. “It’s not an ideal time to be away from Australia,” Waugh told Sky Sports Radio. “It would have been better probably if (this series) was a week or two shorter.” GARY Ablett will make his International Rules debut in a star-studded Australia squad set to face Ireland but Dustin Martin has turned down the chance to represent his country. Ablett will line up alongside Patrick Dangerfield and Nat Fyfe in two Tests, in Adelaide and Perth, next month. But reigning Brownlow and Norm Smith Medallist Martin, who last month led Richmond to a droughtbreaking AFL premiership, was a notable absentee from the 17man squad announced yesterday. Coaching panel representative Luke Ball said Martin was invited to play but opted out: “In the end, he ... said ‘look, the body needs a rest’, and that’s understandable.” AFTER scoring a goal in his NHL debut, ice hockey player Nathan Walker was scratched from Washington’s game against Pittsburgh yesterday. The 23-year-old enjoyed a dream debut against Montreal on Sunday, scoring in the first match played by an Australian in the league. But after clocking only 7mins 43sec of ice time against Tampa Bay on Tuesday, Walker was left out of the Capitals’ side to play the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins. Washington lost 3-2. IN yesterday’s edition of the Cairns Post, the story ‘Bodies team up to strengthen league’ incorrectly named Ian Wydiard as the chairman of Cairns District Junior Rugby League. Ian Lydiard is the chairman. We apologise for the error.