Cricket: Gooch fends off Lillee's attack
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Your support makes all the difference.GRAHAM GOOCH yesterday shrugged off newspaper criticism of England's tour party and defended the selectors' decision to leave the Oval match- winners, Phil Tufnell and Andy Caddick, out of their 17-man squad.
England were greeted upon their arrival in Perth yesterday by an article in the local newspaper by the former Australian fast bowler Dennis Lillee claiming that England had "blundered badly" and had "shot themselves in the foot".
"Rather than flying into Perth on the euphoria of their courageous series win against South Africa, the tourists have blundered badly by revealing their innermost fears," he said as England arrived in Perth to prepare for the series starting next month.
"I find it quite amazing that, before a ball has been bowled in anger, England have put their cards on the table over Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne," he said.
But Gooch, facing the Australian media for the first time since England's arrival in the early hours of the morning after a gruelling 28-hours flight, insisted they would not listen to newspaper talk and backed the touring party to prove their critics wrong.
"We think that the guys that have been selected are the right guys for the trip over here," stressed Gooch. "We want to create a very tight-knit team spirit and the guys that have been left behind are unlucky.
"Andrew Caddick has had a good season, especially in the second half when he came on really strong for Somerset and took 100 wickets and anyone who does that is unlucky not to be selected.
"But we think we have the right blend of bowlers over here with the guys who did well against South Africa and the other guys who supported them and a couple of younger players. To do well here you have to match Australia in character and spirit and certainly that is an area where the England side have improved in recent times and it is one that is vital importance to win a Test series in this country."
Lillee's view was rather different. "I was amazed to find Phil Tufnell's name missing," he said. "When you consider he took 11-93 in the last Ashes Test at the Oval a year ago, England will wish Tufnell was on board when the Sydney Test comes around in January.
"When I first saw the names of the 17-man England squad I was excited at the prospect of watching the first competitive Ashes squad for more than a decade... but I'm not sure now - I have a horrible feeling England has already shot itself in the foot."
England plan to have a light warm-up this afternoon before beginning the first of five days practice ahead of their opening match against an Australia Cricket Board Chairman's XI in Lilac Hill on Thursday.
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