Ind-Aus, an iconic series: Gilchrist
Former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, who is looking forward to the India-Australia series which starts next month, says the series has taken on an “iconic structure”.
India gears up to take on the Australians when they come touring next month and after losing the last home-Test series against Australia in 2004, the Indians are now looking to avenge their defeat.
What may help India’s cause in this regard is that the Aussies lack the experience they had in 2004. Former Australian greats like Shane Warne, Glen McGrath and Adam Gilchrist have retired whereas Andrew Symonds does not feature in the squad.
“There’s no doubt that the Australian team is inexperienced in regard to what we’ve had in the last 10 years. That doesn’t mean these guys (Australian youngsters) haven’t played in these conditions before. I’m sure they’ll be very competitive,” said Adam Gilchrist who was captain of the winning Australian team in 2004.
Australia maybe the number one ranked team in the world but they have always had problems playing against India in India. Steve Waugh never won a series in India and often referred to it as ‘The Final Frontier’.
“There’s no doubt the upcoming series is shaping up to be a fantastic series. Every time the two nations have locked horns in the last 10 – 12 years it’s lived up to what I think has become an iconic series,” said Gilchrist.
The retirement of Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill has posed problems for Australia but its former gloves-man does not seem to think that the lack of an experienced spinner will affect the Australians.
“The fast bowling line-up was of paramount importance to us in 2004. It was the likes of McGrath, (Jason) Gillespie and (Michael) Kasprowicz who did a lot of the work ably supported by, the world’s best leg-spinner, Shane Warne. Ricky will draw on the quick bowling options (this time) as well.”
Gilchrist does not seem to think that the lack of a quality and experienced spinner will affect Australia when they play their first match against India on October 9.
Staying on the topic of spinners, Gilchrist was asked what he thought about Bryce McGain, the 36-year-old spinner, who received a surprise call-up into the Australian squad for the tour to India.
“I’ve only played against Bryce McGain once and I was relatively impressed with him as he got me out in both innings. I was seriously very impressed with his control.”
“You may not see him run in and bowl the huge turning leg breaks like Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill,” said Gilchrist who added that age does not come into the picture when you are bowling well and that he is happy with McGain’s selection.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing how he takes on one of the best line-ups of spin bowling in the form of the Indian batting line-up.”
Gilchrist also had words of praise for the Indian batsmen especially the Big Four (Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman).
“The Indians are the most experienced team in world cricket and I think they are just growing series by series. They have the Big Four but with MS Dhoni it’s not far from being classified as the Big Five.”
Talking at a press conference held in Mumbai, Gilchrist said that in the coming years the Indian cricket team will go through a period of transition like the Australian team where former, experienced cricketers will give way to fresh, new talent.
Asked how he would like to have this done, Gilchrist said, “I would encourage the promotion of youth particularly while there are some experienced players around. It’s a nice blend to get in educating and getting these guys (youngsters) to learn about the requirements of international cricket.”
About the exclusion of Andrew Symonds from the Australian squad, the former Australian does not seem perturbed saying, “I think Symmo (Symonds) has still got the burning desire to play for Australia, I’ve got no doubt about that.”
Gilchrist seemed extremely positive that it was only a matter of time till Andrew Symonds made his way back into the Australian squad.