Cricket

Virus floors Bulls pacemen

December 15, 2005

ANDY Bichel and Mitchell Johnson will be given until the morning of Queensland's Pura Cup match against Western Australia to prove their fitness, after both players contracted a mystery virus.

Former Test paceman Bichel sent a major scare through the Bulls camp when he was ordered home to rest during today's final training session while Johnson failed to front.

They will be assessed by team medicos over the next two days before the crucial four-day match at the Gabba starting on Saturday.

Johnson, who made his Australia one-day debut last weekend, is believed to have picked up the virus shortly after his return from New Zealand.

He returned the unflattering figures of 0-64 off nine overs as Brendon McCullum smashed an unbeaten 50 from 25 balls to steer the Black Caps to a remarkable victory in the third international.

Bulls coach Terry Oliver said Johnson and Bichel's conditions would be closely monitored.

"It's one of those things where you don't know how quickly they're going to improve," he said.

"They were both pretty crook this morning but tomorrow they might wake up good as gold. We'll obviously monitor them and if they're not on the mend it might make it difficult.

"They could go out and play and hit the wall again so that decision will be left to our medical staff."

Queensland skipper Jimmy Maher remained optimistic about the pair's chances of taking on the Warriors.

"If you see Bich going down you know something's got to be wrong because you'd normally have to break his leg to stop him doing something," Maher said.

"Hopefully it's nothing too serious."

Former Ashes tourist Ashley Noffke has been placed on stand-by in the event of a late withdrawal by Bichel or Johnson.

However, Oliver could be forced to look outside the top squad for another fast bowler if both players are ruled out.

Queensland: Jimmy Maher (capt), Lachlan Stevens, Martin Love, Clinton Perren, Craig Philipson, James Hopes, Chris Hartley, Chris Simpson, Andy Bichel, Mitchell Johnson, Michael Kasprowicz, Ryan Broad (12th man to be named).

Western Australia: Marcus North (capt), Clint Heron, Chris Rogers, Adam Voges, Shaun Marsh, Damien Martyn, Ryan Campbell, Brett Dorey, Beau Casson, Ben Edmondson, Mathew Inness and Steve Magoffin (12th man to be named).

AAP