Gilchrist: 'It was shaping up to be a classic'
Adam Gilchrist speaks to the media refelcting on a potentially classic test spoilt by rain
Dileep Premachandran at Chennai
12-Jul-2005
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Adam Gilchrist confessed to being disappointed that rain had prevented a potential classic being played to its logical conclusion at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. After the match, he talked to the media on what his team would take out of this experience.
On whether he was disappointed at not being able to go for a win, or relieved at having got the draw
Both teams had good reason to be optimistic about today. India may have had their noses slightly in front, but given that it took us the best part of the whole day yesterday to make 220 runs, it would have been difficult for them on a wearing fifth-day pitch. Anyone who follows the game will know that both teams were in the hunt today, and it's a very very frustrating way to finish.
Both teams had good reason to be optimistic about today. India may have had their noses slightly in front, but given that it took us the best part of the whole day yesterday to make 220 runs, it would have been difficult for them on a wearing fifth-day pitch. Anyone who follows the game will know that both teams were in the hunt today, and it's a very very frustrating way to finish.
On whether he was encouraged by the manner of the Australian fightback
Yeah, we're extremely disappointed with the way we batted in the first innings, at least the second half of it. In days gone by, we could easily have been intimidated by that sort of collapse, and after an innings like the one Virender [Sehwag] played, we could easily have been blown away. But we fought hard and set targets that allowed us to cling on to India. They were certainly ahead in this game after that first-innings collapse but we were able to stay with them up to a point where we could put the pressure on them.
Yeah, we're extremely disappointed with the way we batted in the first innings, at least the second half of it. In days gone by, we could easily have been intimidated by that sort of collapse, and after an innings like the one Virender [Sehwag] played, we could easily have been blown away. But we fought hard and set targets that allowed us to cling on to India. They were certainly ahead in this game after that first-innings collapse but we were able to stay with them up to a point where we could put the pressure on them.
On whether changes might be made for Nagpur
It's too early to say anything right now. We've got a week off, and for four or five days the guys will be given time off to relax and get away from cricket. Our thoughts haven't turned to Nagpur yet.
It's too early to say anything right now. We've got a week off, and for four or five days the guys will be given time off to relax and get away from cricket. Our thoughts haven't turned to Nagpur yet.
On whether the fielding was the biggest disappointment
No, like I said earlier, being 0 for 136 and then 236 all out - that was the biggest disappointment. You just cannot do that in Test cricket. In these conditions, the first time you bat, you have to bat well. India showed that in this game, they batted very well, Virender and the two young guys in the middle order. But there's no doubt that we missed some chances that proved costly. But that can happen. Some days you're going to take all your catches, and some days you're not.
No, like I said earlier, being 0 for 136 and then 236 all out - that was the biggest disappointment. You just cannot do that in Test cricket. In these conditions, the first time you bat, you have to bat well. India showed that in this game, they batted very well, Virender and the two young guys in the middle order. But there's no doubt that we missed some chances that proved costly. But that can happen. Some days you're going to take all your catches, and some days you're not.
On whether it was the best that Shane Warne had bowled against India
Certainly not the best. My first series against India was in Australia five years ago, and I think Warnie took three or four four-fors. He bowled remarkably well and I remember him dominating them. Obviously, in Australia, the quick bowlers picked up a lot of the wickets. But statistically, this is his best return against them and that will do his confidence a world of good. He's a confident guy anyway. There will be comparisons with the spinners in the opposition, but they have different roles to play within the team, and given the circumstances I was well pleased with Shane's effort.
Certainly not the best. My first series against India was in Australia five years ago, and I think Warnie took three or four four-fors. He bowled remarkably well and I remember him dominating them. Obviously, in Australia, the quick bowlers picked up a lot of the wickets. But statistically, this is his best return against them and that will do his confidence a world of good. He's a confident guy anyway. There will be comparisons with the spinners in the opposition, but they have different roles to play within the team, and given the circumstances I was well pleased with Shane's effort.
On whether combining the captaincy and wicketkeeping was a strain
It can be demanding but I felt quite fresh during the two games. Something will be made of the catch I dropped off Ganguly the other day, but that had nothing to do with the conditions. It's not the first catch I've dropped, and it certainly won't be the last one I drop in international cricket. We're 1-0 up, we've had two good Test matches, other than one bad day I've enjoyed it, enjoyed the challenge and look forward to leading the team in Nagpur.
It can be demanding but I felt quite fresh during the two games. Something will be made of the catch I dropped off Ganguly the other day, but that had nothing to do with the conditions. It's not the first catch I've dropped, and it certainly won't be the last one I drop in international cricket. We're 1-0 up, we've had two good Test matches, other than one bad day I've enjoyed it, enjoyed the challenge and look forward to leading the team in Nagpur.
On how he rated the Test match
It was shaping up to be a classic. I was awake last night wondering what the outcome might be, but at the end of the day it's just frustrating for everyone - spectators, players and administrators.
It was shaping up to be a classic. I was awake last night wondering what the outcome might be, but at the end of the day it's just frustrating for everyone - spectators, players and administrators.
On whether the break before Nagpur was planned
It was something we looked at in the schedule, sometime to freshen up since it's four Tests rather than three. I'm sure the Indians would take that too after two back-to-back Tests, and the sultry conditions here.
It was something we looked at in the schedule, sometime to freshen up since it's four Tests rather than three. I'm sure the Indians would take that too after two back-to-back Tests, and the sultry conditions here.
On the negatives that Australia need to work on, and the one big plus from the game
Well, when I say negative it's pretty obvious that I talk of the batting collapse in the first innings and how we approached it. But I feel we saw an improvement already in the second innings. And of course the catching. But these are things that we can work on and fine-tune. The biggest positive was that fact that even after being swept away badly in the first innings and going into the second with a deficit of 141, we fought very hard for three days to give ourselves a chance of winning on the final day.
Well, when I say negative it's pretty obvious that I talk of the batting collapse in the first innings and how we approached it. But I feel we saw an improvement already in the second innings. And of course the catching. But these are things that we can work on and fine-tune. The biggest positive was that fact that even after being swept away badly in the first innings and going into the second with a deficit of 141, we fought very hard for three days to give ourselves a chance of winning on the final day.
On whether promoting himself to No. 3 in the second innings reflected on Simon Katich's batting
I think Simon's results in this series have been swept away by many other individual achievements in this series. He's been the glue that's held our top order together. Me going up the order had nothing to do with him. It was just a case of being proactive and taking the game to the Indians while trying to wipe off as much of the deficit as possible. That's all it was.
I think Simon's results in this series have been swept away by many other individual achievements in this series. He's been the glue that's held our top order together. Me going up the order had nothing to do with him. It was just a case of being proactive and taking the game to the Indians while trying to wipe off as much of the deficit as possible. That's all it was.