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Gilchrist won't be cowed by crowd

Source: The Age - February 23, 2006

Adam Gilchrist won't be spurred on by bitter memories of taunting from South African crowds, but will nonetheless take heart that their worst has, in the past, brought out his best.

Four years ago, Gilchrist took to the crease for the first Test amid a cacophony of abuse, most directed at his family, from the Wanderers patrons. The taunts visibly upset Australia's wicketkeeper-batsman, who used the negative atmosphere to spur him to an unbeaten 204, which remains his highest Test score. On reaching his double century, Gilchrist wept, revealing the true emotional toll exacted by the innings. He went on to post totals of 138 not out and 91 in the next two Tests.

Gilchrist said yesterday he did not expect to be confronted with similar taunts this series, and urged his younger teammates to block out the raucous crowds.

"There was one day where I've got a bit of a mixed memory, but that day I happened to score 200 as well so that's always going to be more a fond memory than a bad one," Gilchrist said. "I have moved on from that. It was utter rubbish and it's well and truly eliminated so I don't anticipate anything more directly aimed at me than at anyone else in the team.

"Any time that you are overseas, you know when you are doing well because generally that's when the crowds are quiet. If you can hear each other speak in a one-day international, you know you are on top. That's obviously our goal, to keep knocking those guys over. But we won't be any more motivated by trying to quieten down the crowd." Crowd behaviour has been a major talking point in South Africa since several Proteas players were racially abused by Australian crowds last summer. Brian Basson, South Africa's general manager of cricket affairs, previously said that extra security would be on hand at all international matches in the series to stave off any chance of reprisals from the local supporters.

Until the teams gather for the Twenty20 international at the Wanderers ground tomorrow, it is difficult to gauge whether recent comments from South African players Mark Boucher and Andre Nel have inflamed the situation. Gilchrist said he would tell teammates not to be baited by the crowds.

"It affects some in different ways than it does others," he said. "You can't get over-sensitive with it, whether that's here or anywhere. Even in our own country, when we lost that first (VB Series) final in Adelaide we were getting absolutely hammered by our own crowds (with) serious abuse, so you've got to just put it in perspective and trust what you are doing is right. That's where the collective team outfit falls together and helps each other out.

"Most of the guys have been here and played in Australia A tours or youth tours, so it seems like everyone gets around the world and has some experience before you jump on to this stage. They can use their imagination and understand it's going to be a pretty hostile reception, and so it should be."

- ALEX BROWN