www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&object -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 12/22/2008
Last Visited: 12/22/2008
Australian chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said the ageing warriors were culpable in Australia's deflating loss to South Africa in the first test in Perth, but conceded his panel has little option but to stick with them.
...
"All senior players have got to step up, we'll be very reluctant to look at younger players and say they haven't performed," Hilditch said.
"If we're going to rebuild successfully it is the senior players who have to step up."
Hilditch denied that at 32 and with his pace slackening, Lee had to be near the end of his days as a test match tearaway.
...
Nevertheless, Hilditch said Hayden was desperately needed until well into next year.
...
"He's one of those players we'd not want to lose before the Ashes. that said he's going through a really rough time, it just couldn't be going worse for him," Hilditch said.