Healy bowled over by Segway

Updated December 28, 2011 13:00:24

The Segway scooter has claimed another victim at the MCG, clean bowling former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy shortly before the third day of the first Test against India.

The Channel Nine commentator stepped off the front of the scooter after taking a ride around the MCG but it kept going and rode over the top of him.

It proceeded to chew up the turf before being brought under control.

The farcical incident followed yesterday's crash in which cameraman Joe Previtera ran into a helmet while filming the Australian team before play.

The cameraman was being interviewed by Channel Nine on Wednesday morning when Healy jumped on the scooter, completed a number of sweeping circuits on the ground, and took his own tumble.

Previtera became a minor celebrity over a decade ago for confessing to an infamous sledge that was picked up by a microphone.

His comment "can't bowl, can't throw" was directed at a struggling bowler during a Test match in Hobart but was widely blamed on Shane Warne.

Reuters

Tags: cricket, sport, offbeat, human-interest, melbourne-3000, australia, vic

First posted December 28, 2011 12:44:35

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Haddin's Test spot safe for now: Healy

Updated December 15, 2011 18:52:41

Former Australia wicketkeeper Ian Healy does not believe current Test gloveman Brad Haddin is in the immediate firing line for the Test axe.

But Healy says the likes of Matthew Wade, Luke Ronchi and Chris Hartley should maintain their intensity because an opportunity might not be far away.

With Tasmanian Tim Paine sidelined for at least the next four months due to further complications with his badly damaged finger, Victoria wicketkeeper Wade is seen as the next man in line should Haddin be moved on or suffer an injury.

Healy says Western Australian Ronchi and Queenslander Hartley have done enough to also be in the mix and should stay on their toes.

But for the time being, the position behind the stumps is Haddin's to lose.

"I don't think he's under that much pressure, just the normal amount of pressure for a senior player to get this young side up and then performing a little better in different scenarios," Healy said.

"But there should be a whole lot of inspired wicketkeepers at the moment because they know how close they are to one injury of playing for Australia.

"(Wade is playing well) and Luke Ronchi made a 100 the other day and Chris Hartley shouldn't be skipped over either.

"Matty seems to be the anointed one to take over from Paine (as the next in line), but all the keepers are performing pretty well from all reports, statistically anyway."

Healy says he sympathises with Paine, who could be forced to endure the agonising scenario of watching another up-and-comer take the position in the Australian team that he would likely have assumed if fit.

Healy rose to the Australian wicketkeeping role in 1988, having been at the understudy to Peter Anderson at Queensland.

"He needs Brad Haddin to be very durable and not give up his spot at all until he's well and truly back on his feet otherwise someone can get a spot and take it with both hands," he said.

"It's been a nightmare for him and the surgeons by the sounds of it ... being so high on the index finger it's been impossible for him to keep or bat properly."

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, australia

First posted December 15, 2011 18:52:41

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