Tugga's bad fortune could be to my advantage

So many times you are left shaking your head at the unpredictability of events that can work to your advantage or even against it.

Who would ever believe that Steve Waugh would tear his calf muscle on the first ball he faces in the climax of an Ashes retaining Test match?

Just as England must be mystified by the injuries to Hussain, Thorpe and Vaughan, it is difficult comprehending the reasons for such misfortune.

Obviously the loss of 'Tugga' for the next Test match means there is an automatic opening for one of the two remaining batsmen on the tour.

But, it wasn't until the press started asking questions today, that it truly dawned upon me that my immediate playing future may come down to a 'bat out' between Simon Katich and myself at Sussex on Wednesday.

This is an unusual situation as it is rare that a position in the batting line-up becomes as clear-cut as it has thanks to Stephen's injury.

Usually there is speculation about a player's form, or a fitness test may be warranted, but in this case there is a concrete position available for either Simon or myself.

Simon and I will go head-to-head

In a way it is a little ironic for me in that a good friend of mine in Damien Martyn initially took my position, and now I am vying for a spot in the Test team with another one of my Western Australian teammates, and friends, in Simon Katich.

Making it even more difficult is the fact that Adam Gilchrist, who is a friend of all of us, is a member of the selection committee and one of the people who holds our future in the palm of his hand.

Of course, the situation is the nature of the beast and one of the difficulties of playing in a team sport, but it doesn't make for the most comfortable of scenarios.

Experience again tells me that selections are out of my control.

What is in my control is the opportunity to bat well against Sussex to put my name in front of the selector's eyes and to gain some confidence and rhythm leading into the fourth Test match.

If Simon or I concentrate on what might happen, then our focus will be taken away from what is important; and what is important is watching the ball and letting the outcome look after itself.

During the third Test match a friend of mine, Mark Wornum, flew over from Perth to watch his first game of cricket in this country.

Mark with Brett Lee

Plagued by cancer, his great ambition was to watch Australia beat England in a Test match in England.

He acted as something of a mascot for the team over the three days of the match and I am sure he has had the time of his life.

While Tugga has been struck down temporarily, and 'Katto' and I are battling for a spot in the privileged Australian batting line-up, our fight is insignificant compared to the war he is currently fighting.

Having people like Mark around provides genuine inspiration to all of the guys and it helps to put everything into a sharp perspective for all of us.

From Nottingham

JL