Dad Gilchrist now available for World Cup

Melbourne, Feb 24 A day after Australian vice-captain Adam Gilchrist became father for the third time, he announced Saturday that he was available for all matches of next month's World Cup in the West Indies.

Gilchrist's declaration will be music to his teammates' ears as the good news comes a day after pace spearhead Brett Lee was ruled out of the big event with an ankle injury while a few other key players are struggling to regain fitness.

The dashing wicket-keeper-batsman, who missed Australia's 0-3 thrashing by New Zealand in the recent Chappell-Hadlee Trophy in New Zealand, had earlier said that he would be unavailable for the first three weeks of the World Cup starting March 11.

His wife Melinda gave birth to Archie Douglas, their third child and weighing 7lbs 4oz, at St John of God Hospital in Subiaco, near Perth, Friday, Cricket Australia (CA) said.

'We are delighted that Archie has arrived safely as a brother for Harrison [aged 5] and Annie [aged 2]. Melinda and Archie are fit and well and our thanks go to all the staff at the hospital, who were brilliant,' Gilchrist said.

As planned, Gilchrist will spend a few days with his family before travelling to the West Indies. He will not depart with the main squad.

Gilchrist should arrive in the Caribbean shortly before Australia's first practice match and will be available for selection for the entire World Cup.

Australia's first game of the World Cup is against Scotland March 14.

The squad is also waiting on the fitness of Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden.

Hayden is waiting for his fractured toe to heal while Symonds had surgery on his arm before the CB Series finals against England and hoped to make a mid-tournament entry.

Lee has already been ruled out of the tournament with ankle injury.

(c) Indo-Asian News Service

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