Gilchrist better than Jayasuriya, says Warne as rain tumbles (9 February 1999)

9 February 1999

Gilchrist better than Jayasuriya, says Warne as rain tumbles

AFP

SYDNEY, Feb 9 (AFP) - Adam Gilchrist was the most dangerous opening batsman in one-day cricket ahead of Sri Lankan pair Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana, Australian captain Shane Warne said Tuesday.

Warne went into raptures about Gilchrist who last Sunday smashed 154 against Sri Lanka, the highest one-day score by an Australian, to give him five centuries in 34 limited-over matches as opener.

But Gilchrist is unlikely to get a chance in Wednesday's opening match of the best of three final of the tri-nation series against England as Sydney Cricket Ground is a washout.

More than 60 millimetres (2.5 inches) of rain fell overnight and the forecast is for more. The outfield is already sodden. A morning pitch inspection will determine the fate of the match.

Thursday is scheduled as a reserve day but that would mean England and Australia have to go to Melbourne on the morning of Friday's second scheduled final.

"It's not the ideal preparation for the final but there's not much you can do about it," said Warne.

"Hopefully we can get on, even if it's a 25-over game. We have trained as if we're playing tomorrow."

Warne was full of praise for Gilchrist, who despite his explosive 129-ball classic was not included in Australia's 15-man squad to tour the Caribbean later this month.

"The way Adam Gilchrist is playing I think he's the most dangerous batsman in one-day cricket," Warne said.

"I think he's more dangerous than Jayasuriya and Kalu because he can actually bat. Kalu averages 17 in one-day cricket and Jaya about 27 or 28.

"Gilly and Mark Waugh are probably the best opening combination in one-day cricket and the best we've had in Australia for a long time.

"When you get off to the starts we have you can chase anything.

"With our bowling and fielding there's no reason why we can't become the best one-day side going around."

Warne rated his own form back near its peak, following shoulder surgery last year and eight months out of international cricket.

"I reckon I'm just about there. I've bowled pretty well throughout the one-dayers," he said.

"My basic form is just about back to my best which is very encouraging coming up to play four-day cricket which I haven't done for six weeks, since the Sydney Test.

"You bowl differently in one-day cricket, maybe some people have forgotten that.

"I'm getting a lot of spin on the ball, I'm starting to get that dip and curve and in a couple of games I've started to get back to how I used to bowl."

Last year Steve Waugh's new-look one-day side was the underdog going into the finals, only to upset South Africa 2-1.

This year Waugh is injured and Warne has led Australia to a 7-3 record.

Australia are favourites to win the title, but England should not be written off.

Since losing the Ashes in December Christmas, have charged back into contention.

"The turnaround was obviously that Melbourne Test match. It's amazing if you believe you can do something what you actually can do," said Warne.

"They clicked as a side and started to get more confidence from that win."

Australia: Adam Gilchrist, Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Darren Lehmann, Damien Martyn, Michael Bevan, Brendon Julian, Shane Lee, Shane Warne (capt), Michael Kasprowicz, Glenn McGrath, Adam Dale.

England: Alec Stewart (capt), Nick Knight, Graeme Hick, Nasser Hussain, Neil Fairbrother, Adam Hollioake, Mark Ealham, Robert Croft, Darren Gough, Alan Mullally, Ashley Giles, Dean Headley.

Source :: AFP