Australian physio swaps cricket with rugby

Melbourne, June 8 (UNI) Errol Alcott, the man who kept the Australian cricketers in shape, snapped a 22-year-old tie and is all set to join South Sydney District Rugby League Football Club.

Cricket Australia (CA) today announced that Alcott, the cricket team's head physiotherapist for the past 22 years, will join rugby club (the Rabbitohs) with responsibility for physical performance and the rehabilitation department.

Michael Brown, CA General Manager of Cricket Operations, said, ''He's been an outstanding servant to Australian cricket for the last 22 years and has assisted countless international cricketers over 10 Ashes series and many other important moments during a period in which Australia has, for the most part, been top of cricket's tree. Errol's positive impact on the Australian team dressing room over the past two decades has been immense.

On his replacement, Mr Brown said, ''In the coming weeks we'll be working through the options available to us with our stakeholders in terms of the physiotherapist who works with the Australian men's team during the 3 mobile Ashes campaign.'' Reflecting on his long stint with the cricket team, Alcott said, ''I feel very privileged and lucky to have been involved in the careers of so many of this country's cricketing personalities. Part of me is sad that my time with the team is coming to an end, but I am looking forward to the new challenges in my professional life.

''I believe I've left a legacy to the sport and have many fond memories including three victorious assaults on the cricket World Cup, and eight successful Ashes campaigns out of ten from 1986 to 2005,'' he added.

UNI XC AY DH RS1548