Border: Gillespie should be dropped

Allan Border has called for Jason Gillespie to be dropped for the fourth Test against England, starting a week today, at Trent Bridge. Gillespie, who has struggled throughout this Ashes tour, has taken three wickets for 300 runs in the three Tests Australia have played this summer.

Border said: "He should now be dropped and replaced with Shaun Tait - a player on the up." Tait, who plays for South Australia, is widely acknowledged as a future spearhead for Australia, but has so far been ignored by the selectors. Mike Kasprowicz replaced Glenn McGrath, who injured his ankle, for the second Test at Edgbaston, but he too was less than threatening.

Despite the dramatic draw which Australia pulled off at Old Trafford, their bowlers have lacked the penetration which once made their attack so feared, and have been utterly reliant upon McGrath and Shane Warne, who have taken 34 wickets between them. Brett Lee has taken wickets, but been consistently expensive; his haul of 15 in this series have come at 30 per wicket.

Responding to the concerns raised by former players, Gillespie is realistic about his future in the series, and said: "You don't have to be a rocket scientist to see I haven't been bowling well. I don't know what's going to happen in the next game but if I don't play I will understand." Gillespie has been an instrumental figure for Australia for the past eight years, which perhaps is why Australia have clearly showed loyalty in the three Tests this summer. At Old Trafford, he took his 250th Test wicket, although his celebrations were one of relief that he had finally contributed a wicket in the series.

Speaking to Adelaide radio station 5AA, Gillespie added: "I just think it's an execution thing. I haven't hit the areas that I would have liked to have hit consistently enough."

Border's concerns weren't restricted to Australia's bowling attack, adding: "I think this England outfit is capable of killing off the Aussie resistance at Trent Bridge and taking a 2-1 lead to The Oval."