The irony and fickleness of my broken rib is that for 10 weeks during the Ashes, Flintoff, Harmison and Co peppered me with bumpers and aggression, leaving me battered and bruised but relatively unscathed.Sure my ego had been dented, but physically I was able to see the series through without too many problems.
Now, only a few weeks later I am missing the first Test of the Australian summer against the young, but exciting West Indies. A bouncer from Victoria's Gerard Denton last Saturday, crashed into my right rib, cracking it and leaving me in the worst pain I have ever experienced. Throughout my career I have prided myself on remaining injury free and thanks to a deal of luck, preparation and good fortune I have never missed a Test or first class match. Along the journey there have been a few scares but as soon as I was hit last week I knew I was in trouble.
Obviously I didn't know my rib was broken but I was having trouble breathing and there was intense pain every time I tried to run. As optimistic as I tried to be, it became apparent I had no chance of being 100% fit for the Test. In fact, with every step I took at training this morning it felt like an electric shock was being shot through my entire body. My rib feels like it is covered in barbed wire and every time I move the pain is intense and debilitating. Having never broken a bone before I wasn't sure what to expect and while I remained positive about playing I would be letting down the team if I attempted to play.
Since returning from England we have been razor sharp in all of our preparation and there was no way I was going to water down this intensity by playing half-fit. Disappointing as it is to miss a Test match I can honestly say that my replacement Mike Hussey is one of the most deserved wearers of the baggy green cap I have ever come across. For the last eight or nine years we have been team-mates for Western Australia and to this day I have never seen a player who has been as hungry for success as Mike has been. His work ethic is peerless and his enthusiasm and passion infectious. He is basically ripe for the picking right now and although it is through someone else's misfortune he deserves the opportunity. I am thrilled he will realise his childhood dream on Thursday; a dream which has been burning throughout his already distinguished first class career for WA, Northampton, Gloucestershire and Durham.
Watching the Test on television will be tough but having seen how well the boys have prepared this week my prediction is that the West Indies will be in for a tough time. While their young tearaway quicks and talented, experienced batsmen will provide plenty of entertainment, they are up against a team who are hungry and determined to stay number one in the world.
It is said everything happens for a reason and while I am searching for an answer right now I am absolutely sure something good will come out of my short absence from the game.
From Brisbane,
JL
