Bevan misses today's tie

ADELAIDE, Jan 25: Australia's Michael Bevan was ruled out of Tuesday's tri-series match with England at the Adelaide Oval because of a continuing groin injury, reports AP.

Australian team physiotherapist Errol Alcott said Monday that Bevan, who also missed Sunday's game against Sri Lanka after injuring his groin playing in Hobart last Thursday, would rest to ensure he was fit for Sunday's match against Sri Lanka in Perth.

"We're going to rule him out for tomorrow as well, just precautionary, give him an extra couple of days so he'll come into Perth fully fit and available for selection," Alcott said.

Australia will be buoyed by their commanding 80-run victory over Sri Lanka, led by five-wicked haul to paceman Glenn McGrath.

Coach Geoff Marsh said he was pleased with the performance and would probably look to keep the same side for England.

"We lost quite a few players leading into the game and guys stood up and we played quite well," Marsh said.

The danger man for Australia will be in-form England batsman Graeme Hick, who has made two centuries in three matches with 108 against Australia in Sydney, 66 not out against Sri Lanka in Melbourne, and an unbeaten 126 in Saturday's match against Sri Lanka, which England lost by one wicket despite posting a total of 302.

England have four wins from six matches to be on top of the table, while Australia are second with three wins from six games. Sri Lanka have two wins in six matches.

Meanwhile, England captain Alec Stewart said his clash with Sri Lankan counterpart Arjuna Ranatunga in Saturday's one-day international was a closed episode and had not affected relations between the two teams.

Stewart was heard to say to Ranatunga while on the field: "You're a disgrace. Your conduct today was appalling from a country's captain."

After the match on Saturday, Stewart said: "We have all been brought up if the umpire makes a decision you accept it," he said. "Today that didn't happen."

When asked if the controversy had affected relations between the sides, Stewart said: "No, not at all."

"Those relations are still exactly the same as they were before that game started," he said.

"Everything's now closed, finished, and we're looking forward to playing Australia tomorrow."

The England team Sunday issued a statement with tour manager David Graveney saying van der Merwe would not take action against any members of the England team, despite physical and verbal clashes between Roshan Mahanama and Stewart and bowler Darren Gough in the final overs of the match.