New South Wales officials believe that Phil Jaques could have mumps, and have ruled the Australia opener out of matches against Victoria this week.
Opener to sit out domestic matches
New South Wales officials believe that Phil Jaques could have mumps, and have ruled the Australia opener out of the day-night and Pura Cup matches against Victoria this week.
Jaques played a starring role in Australia's Test series victory over Sri Lanka, but his build-up to the Boxing Day Test against India could now be hampered after he was sent home to rest.
"It can happen in adults and it's actually quite dangerous for adults, and he's been on antibiotics for a couple of days," New South Wales coach Matthew Mott told
AAP.
"We don't know for certain if it's the mumps, he's going to be resting and he won't be playing the Shield match here, and it's not that long between the next game, so I suppose he will be battling a little bit."
Pain free
However the good news for Australia is that Shaun Tait's recovery from elbow trouble now seems to be complete, with the express paceman insisting that he is pain-free.
Tait says he is looking forward to bowling alongside Brett Lee, and dismissed claims that the duo are unlikely to be selected in the same side due to their similarity.
"They think, 'He sprays 'em, and he sprays 'em as well,' but the fact is we bowl teams out, and you can't win a game without doing that," Tait told
The Age. "So why not play both of us? I don't see the problem."
Tait was selected in the squad to face Sri Lanka before being forced out because the elbow on which he had an operation in June continued to trouble him, but has now reported a clean bill of health.
"It is pain-free at the moment, which is the first time in over a year," he said. "It's brilliant. It's just getting my body back to match fitness, basically."
