Gilchrist should be celebrated, not castigated
Brydon Coverdale
25-Feb-2013
Getty Images
Adam Gilchrist broke the world wicketkeeping record on Friday but that has been overshadowed by questions over his form and future, which Mike Coward in the Weekend Australian thinks is unfair.
It is a phenomenal achievement and this gentleman cricketer should be lauded like no other for there has been no other like him in the history of the game. His critics, who have been more conspicuous this summer, have one thing in common - a disturbingly short memory. All things being equal this consummate professional cricketer should be celebrated not castigated.
Steve Waugh in the Daily Telegraph reminds readers of the skill with which Gilchrist handled Shane Warne’s bowling.
In the Sydney Morning Herald Peter Roebuck analyses Ricky Ponting’s defensive mindset when Anil Kumble was still fresh in his innings.
This conservatism was a mistake because wickets remain crucial in the toughest times. Clearly Ponting did not want to give too much away. India have to win the match to level the series. Nevertheless the field that greeted Brett Lee as he stood at the top of the mark was humbling. A single slip had been placed to pounce on edges. The man behind point was in shouting range. Everyone else was lining the boundary. All seven of them.
Martin Flanagan writes in the Age that Ponting is facing unfamiliar problems, while Jon Pierik in the Herald Sun looks at Brad Hogg’s struggle to have an impact at Test level.
In the Courier-Mail Robert Craddock runs the rule over the five India stars unlikely to tour Australia again.
Brydon Coverdale is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. He tweets here