Sport - Cricket   

Aussies do some image-building

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI NOV. 5. The Australians were at their best behaviour even as some of them tested the cricketing `skills' of some members of the media at the Nehru Stadium here.

Adam Gilchrist aped Shane Warne and bowled some sensational flippers. Michael Kasprowicz showcased his hidden talent of an off-spinner. Brad Williams did not mind being driven back. It was fun as Michael Bevan, the astonishing finisher in one-day cricket, Jimmy Maher, Andy Bichel and Nathan Bracken joined in the act.

The exercise was part of the Australians' off-the-field activities to promote their image and they came out with their reputation enhanced. Williams, sporting a smile throughout, was the most sought after. His five-wicket haul against New Zealand at Pune has suddenly highlighted the wicket-taking abilities of this affable fast bowler. It was the first time he had claimed five wickets. "The pitches in India generally tend to be low and slow but the one at Pune was great. I haven't taken five wickets even in a domestic one-day match and to have done it in an international game was a great feeling. It should count as the highpoint of my tour thus far,'' said Williams.

Williams was concerned at the number of wide balls that he had bowled. "Probably because I've tried too hard. But it happens when you bo wl to world class batsmen like Sachin (Tendulkar), Rahul (Dravid) and (V.V.S.) Laxman. I learn a lot from bowling to them. I have loved bowling to them here and would love it even more when they come to Australia.''

Bevan, waiting to peak, assesed his team aptly. "It's a pretty good team and has adapted quickly. The challenges have grown but the team has responded well. The motivation to beat India in India drives them to give their best. The conditions have not suited them but they have responded to the challenges. The slow pitches, the travel and the throng of Indian people cheering their team is challenging but the team has done well. The best is yet to come.''

On the Australian approach to the task, Bevan said "we've focussed at trying to make the most of the situation. We treat every situation positively and look at performing consistently. It's hard job but then we all have a role a role to play.''

Gilchrist was persistently asked for his views on the scheduling of the matches in the tri-series where New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming had criticised the itinerary. "It's frustrating when important games rely on the toss,'' said Gilchrist, hinting at the moisture factor dictating the course of the contest in day matches. Bevan too joined the debate when he remarked "it's too much of a coincidence that India is not playing any day match."

"The variance (in playing conditions) is not fair. We should have had all day matches or all day-night matchers,'' concluded Gilchrist.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

Cricket

• Kiwis have their task cut out
• Aussies do some image-building
• Is it good-bye to Old Trafford?
• Guha dies of heart attack
• Ganguly returns to nets
• Fleming-speak and the truth of the matter
• Vikram Rathour retires
  
  Tennis
  
• Isha Lakhani enters quarterfinals
  
  Football
  
• Salgaocar sails into semifinals
  
  Golf
  
• Indians tipped to do well
  
  Volleyball
  
• J&K edges out Chhattisgarh
  
  

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu