MELBOURNE, December 10: Injured paceman Glenn McGrath has been ruled out of Australia's limited overs match against Australia A on Sunday, casting doubt on his availability for the first Test against South Africa. Australia's premier strike bowler tore a stomach muscle during the side's three-wicket victory over New Zealand in Adelaide at the weekend.

Teams: Australia: Mark Waugh, Michael de Venuto, Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh (captain), Michael Bevan, Adan Gilchrist, Ian Harvey, Paul Reiffel, Shane Warne, Andy Bichel, Simon Cook, Adam Dale. Australia A: Michael Slater, Ryan Campbell, Matthew Elliott, Greg Blewett, Stuart Law (captain), Darren Lehmann, Damien Martyn, Tom Moody, Ian Healy, Michael Kasprowicz, Paul Wilson, Brad Young.

Walsh to carry on as Windies captain

KARACHI: Courtney Walsh made it clear he is not quitting as West Indies captain in the wake of their first Test series whitewash in 69 years.

West Indies lost the third and final Test against Pakistan by 10 wickets yesterday, following defeat by an innings and 19 runs in first Test in Peshawar and by an innings and 29 runs in the second Test in Rawalpindi.

Al-Fayed to buy German outfit

BERLIN: Harrods owner Mohammed Al-Fayed is set to buy debt-laden German regional outfit FC Union Berlin, the club revealed here yesterday.

Al Fayed, father of Dodi Fayed, who died in a car crash along with Diana, Princess of Wales last August, already owns English second division side Fulham, coached by former Hamburg star Kevin Keegan.

Union Berlin, whose debts total $2.5 million are currently fourth in the northeast regional league-effectively a regional third division.

Graf to return with Australian Open

MELBOURNE: Former world number one Steffi Graf has confirmed her entry for next month's Australian Open as she attempts to relaunch her career after injury, tournament officials said today.

The German has slipped down the rankings because of an enforced absence from the game since June when she underwent knee injury.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.