Batsmen race to keep late-over pace

Adam Gilchrist says Australia's batsmen have targeted lifting their run-rate over the final overs following a surge in one-day scoring. The closing stages have always been the time to lash out, but over the past year a collection of ten runs an over has been the target.

Gilchrist, who tries to start the innings with an explosion, has watched Michael Hussey and Andrew Symonds power Australia to massive totals and he has also been in the field when New Zealand and South Africa have stormed home to record targets. "It's an area we have identified we want to get better at," Gilchrist said in the Sydney Morning Herald. "The mind-set of teams must be changing somewhat, because it seems ten an over for that last five or six overs is becoming the norm now. I'm not sure whether that's Twenty20 cricket that has brought that on, or conditions."

Gilchrist said the side's aim to keep improving was behind the plan. "Totals are expanding ... so with that, the last few of your bowling overs are going for more and more runs," he said. "So perhaps we are driving ourselves nuts over nothing. It seems to be happening to everyone. But that doesn't mean you sit back and throw the hands in the air."

Glenn McGrath gave up 21 runs in his final two overs to finish with 0 for 37 off ten against a Mumbai selection on Sunday and Gilchrist said his comeback was progressing well. "Just talking to him, he feels like ... he is certainly getting closer and closer," Gilchrist said. "He feels like he is moving in the right direction."