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Aussies prepared for Indian backlash
Australian skipper Adam Gilchrist said today that his team was expecting the Indians to come back hard in the second Test.
- Indo-Asian News Service
- Updated: February 25, 2007 09:09 AM IST
Read Time:3 min
Bangalore:
The memories of the 2001 series when Steve Waugh's men failed to conquer the 'Final Frontier' seem to still haunt the Australians with skipper Adam Gilchrist today saying his team was expecting the Indians to come back hard in the second Test. "That (the big win) does not mean that there is a huge gap between the two sides. It looks like a crushing win but it does not mean there is a huge gap. We expect India to come back hard at us," Gilchrist said at the post-match press conference after his side had coasted to a 217-run victory. No easy win "I would not say this is an easy Test win. We did play really well and it was a convincing win. But in these conditions, these sort of results won't come as easily as elsewhere," Gilchrist said. He also warned his side against complacency after today's big win. "We have been in this position before," he said recalling the 2001 series when Australia began with a big win in the first Test in Mumbai only to see India strike back and eventually win the series 2-1. Gilchrist said this time the team was more confident. "We certainly didn't knew what it was like losing a Test match three years ago. Now we are aware of that. At this stage, I know what it means to lose and I know what it means to win," he said. Toss no big deal Gilchrist also did not think that winning the toss was such an important factor. "No, I would not say that winning the toss is going to win you Test matches here. We batted very well and set the game up. I think India will admit that they did not bowl as well in the first innings. "We played a very, very good game of cricket. We are thrilled about it. But we will analyse our plans and work out what we need to do better." Accolades for Warne Praising leg spinner Shane Warne, Gilchrist said he differed with those who said Warne did not impress in the game. "He (Warne) played his role fantastically. He got out the most dangerous man we have come across in world cricket (VVS Laxman) twice. If Warne gets eight wickets in the series and it's all Laxman, I will take that". The wicketkeeper-batsman observed that the current Australian side was a "different" team, more versatile and had better understanding of the conditions compared to the 2001 squad. He was also not surprised by the resistance offered by the Indian tailenders. "Not really. Four wickets is four wickets in India. You have to work hard to get them. No great surprises. It was challenging and tough work for us." "They didn't have anything to lose. I thought Irfan Pathan batted intelligently. He is a very intelligent cricketer. Others rode on luck. They were not expected to do anything heroic," he said. 'Don't blame umpires' Gilchrist, leading the side in the absence of Ricky Ponting, was not ready to blame the umpiring but admitted that India were more at the receiving end of tough decisions. "But we have to get on with it. I don't remember reading on day three (of Kolkata Test in 2001) about Harbhajan's hattrick... I don't remember reading about certain dubious lbw decisions (against us). "You have to accept it. Let's not blame umpires. I can understand the frustration of the Indian team but let's give them (umpires) the benefit of doubt," he said. "We have to move on. The noise out there (at Chinnaswamy Stadium) was extraordinary. You have no idea....it's a very, very difficult job (to concentrate). (PTI)Topics mentioned in this article
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