We will be starting on a clean slate: Gilchrist

By Nandakumar Marar

MUMBAI, FEB. 25. The Australians believe in adopting a down-to- earth approach to the task of playing Test cricket. Chasing win number 16 after having booked their place in cricket history for winning 15 Tests on the trot, the visitors' preparations do not convey anything of the hype associated with being members of Steve Waugh's all- conquering side.

The tourists went through their routine during the morning nets at the Wankhede stadium, even finding time after their session to mix with children from Network of Care Project by World Vision, a Mumbai body involved in relief work for the earthquake affected people of Gujarat. Vice-captain Adam Gilchrist, also the team's wicket-keeper-batsman, spoke about his team's feelings towards the quake-effected people and expressed happiness at the opportunity to bringing back smiles on the faces of the children waiting patiently under hot, humid conditions at the stadium for the Aussies to join them.

After three days of competitive cricket against Mumbai, a regional side, which raised more questions than answers about the form of key components in this Australian side, Gilchrist is also aware that his team's build-up for the Mumbai match could have been better than what really happened out in the middle. ``We have not made the right adjustments (in the tour games against India A and Mumbai). The batsmen have not used these games to get used to the conditions, they have not been able to occupy the crease for long periods,'' confessed the Australian vice-captain.

Talking about his teammates' performances against spin bowlers so far, Gilchrist explained: ``We had come prepared to play spin, but here again we have yet to make adjustments when batting against spin under Indian conditions.'' Steve Waugh's deputy is also under no illusion of his team's invincibility against India, despite an awesome record coming into the Mumbai game.

``We have come here on a roll. India is in the process of chopping and changing. But the feeling is the same prior to any Test match. We will be starting on a clean slate,'' said Gilchrist, stepping in for Waugh in dealing with queries from the media. ``I got the same feeling prior to the series against the West Indies, though it was they who felt the pressure later on.''

He does not rule out the possibility of Mark Waugh playing the first Test, though without stating anything specific about the state of the batsman's hand injury. ``Nothing can be ruled out yet, though I haven't spoken to Errol (physio) yet.''

Having kept wickets against Shane Warne and Colin Miller in the tour games, he felt both spinners were ready for the real test of their abilities. ``I have been speaking to Warne in the slips during the matches and found him in the right frame of mind,'' said Gilchrist, as always mentally and physically geared up to meet the demands his team makes on him.

The hand injury to Mark Waugh and the lack of form shown by the top-order batsmen place additional responsibility on the vice- captain, known for his dogged batting in crisis situations, in the mould of Ian Healy whom he replaced for a place in the Australian squad. ``Wicket-keeping is a separate job, as is batting, both demands a lot of mental effort. So I break down each job separately, taking it as it comes.''

Australian cricket players Mark Waugh, Colin Miller (centre) and captain Steve Waugh interacting with children from Network of Care Project by World Vision as part of community development programme in Mumbai on Sunday. - Photo: Vivek Bendre

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