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Gilchrist says team ready for spin challenge
Australian skipper Adam Gilchrist today said the experience of playing Mumbai spinners should stand the squad in good stead.
- Indo-Asian News Service
- Updated: February 25, 2007 09:07 AM IST
Read Time:2 min
Mumbai: Australian skipper Adam Gilchrist today said the experience of playing Mumbai spinners should stand the squad in good stead when they square up against the redoubtable Indian duo of Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble in the Test series commencing at Bangalore next week. "We had a quality time out in the middle against the spinners. Now it depends on how we take this lesson into the series. We have come with a game plan on tackling the Indian spinners. It depends on how we execute it," the flamboyant left-handed batsman said. Gilchrist said he was happy with his team's outing against Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai, especially his top order batsmen's ability to tackle the spinning ball, in the three-day match that ended in a draw here today. "It was good to start the tour like this. We lost half a day due to rains. Otherwise there could have been a result. Still we had a few good days here. We also got to do what we set out to do at the beginning. We are pretty happy," he told reporters after the match. Australia dominated Mumbai, taking a lead of 47 runs over the hosts and then rattling up 207 for one in quick time in the second innings before the game ended. Gilchrist was also pleased with the way the two pace bowlers - Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee - bowled in the match. "Both Glenn and Brett are coming out of one-day cricket and we are pretty pleased with the way they bowled here. The more they bowl the better it would be for them," Gilchrist said. McGrath bagged four for 25 in 21.2 overs while Lee grabbed 2 for 53 in 21. "We have the option of using Shane Watson too," he said in response to a question whether the all rounder, who also was among the wickets, could be used as a stock bowler in the first Test at Bangalore. Gilchrist praised the batting of Justin Langer and Michael Clarke in the second innings and Matthew Hayden and Damien Martyn's in the first. Talking about Clarke, he said the exciting youngster, yet to play in a Test, was well in contention for making his debut at Bangalore. "Clarke is in contention. He played pretty well. He did what he was asked to do. We have quite a few options (to fill up the slot left vacant by Ricky Ponting's absence). "Now we have to look at selecting a well-balanced team," he said. (PTI)
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