Bevan rules himself out of Australia's Cup opener

February 09, 2003 20:34 IST

Australia's Michael Bevan has ruled himself out of Tuesday's World Cup opener against Pakistan at The Wanderers.

The left-handed Bevan, who is recovering from a torn groin muscle suffered during the recent triangular series against England and Sri Lanka, took part in Australia's practice session at the venue on Sunday.

But afterwards he told Reuters he did not believe he was ready to return to action for

the defending champions' opening match of Group A.

"I'm going okay but I think I'm going to be pipped for this match," he said. "It's just come a few days early.

"I'm about 80 per cent right and I really needed to be 100 per cent right today."

Without Bevan, and with fellow-batsman Darren Lehmann serving the last match of his five-game ban, Jimmy Maher appears to be guaranteed to start on Tuesday.

Source: REUTERS
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