Streak out to stop rot for Saltires
BY NEIL McLEMAN ANDY MURRAY is determined to not “roll over and play badly” on his return from injury today at Queen’s Club.
But the former world No.1 warned he expects to lose to Nick Kyrgios for the first time – and it could take four months to rediscover his old form.
John McEnroe has cautioned that Murray risks “semi-humiliation” after 342 days away from competitive action with a hip injury that required surgery.
And the world No.156 has been handed a tough opener at the Fever-Tree Championships against the Aussie No.1 who took new world No.1 Roger Federer to three sets in Stuttgart at the weekend.
“But obviously I want to be competitive. I don’t want to just go out there, roll over and play badly. I want to try to play well and feel good on the court but my expectations are pretty low.
“It’s a very difficult match. When his mind’s on it he is one of best grass-court players in the world.
“It will be a difficult match because he is very good but for your body coming back, there will be a lot of quick points.”
Murray, 31, took heart from the older Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal winning the last six Grand Slams – and the return to fitness of Juan Martin del Potro.
He added: “That’s nice, a lot of the older players have been doing better. Rafa and Roger are two of the best players of all time, they are healthy, they are able to compete and win the biggest events. “Novak Djokovic has been injured, Stan Wawrinka was injured and myself injured. But you look at Del Potro, who has been through lots of issues and is back now at the top competing for the biggest events, so there is a lot of case studies around that give you hope and optimism. “I don’t know if this week I will be playing well or if it will be in three or four weeks’ time. But maybe in three/four months when I’ve had more matches under my belt and training time, hopefully I’ll be able to get back to that level again.” BY PETER CRANSTON SCOTLAND hope the expertise of former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak can help them bounce back to form in the Twenty20 Tri-series with Ireland and Holland.
Streak – who took more than 450 wickets in Test and one-day international cricket – has been drafted in by head coach Grant Bradburn to help the team over the next eight days.
After leading his country as a player Streak has had spells as both a bowling coach and head coach with Zimbabwe. He also worked with the bowlers at Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL and with Bangladesh.
Following their historic success over England last week Saltires are winless in four matches after losing twice to Pakistan and to Ireland before snatching a tie off the final ball in Sunday’s second meeting. They face Holland in Amstelveen today.
Streak said: “Scotland have really improved since the 2015 World Cup. Their historic first ODI win over England last Sunday is testament to their progress.
“Grant asked if I could share my T20 experience as a consultant to help the team and coaches evolve in that format and I was happy to oblige.”