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Gilly blames it on Fred

Source: FOX Sports - January 5, 2006

Adam Gilchrist today blamed England all rounder Andrew Flintoff for his his poor form that was so spectacularly broken yesterday at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The Australia vice captain ended a run of low scores dating back to the Ashes last northern summer with a ballistic 86 as Australia pushed its first innings in the third Test to 359 all out in reply to South Africa's 9-451 declared.

Gilchrist's knock was typically fierce, including all the power-packed pulls, hooks and cuts he has mustered over a brilliant Test career.

But it was Flintoff's bowling at Gilchrist during the Ashes that opened the eyes of other opponents to his fallibility, and also helped propel England to its first series win against Australia for 18 years.

"Half the time I was probably answering questions in my own mind about my mindsets and techniques - do I go more attacking, ultra defensive or stay the same," Gilchrist told Channel 9 this morning at the SCG.

"I wrestled with those emotions in the Ashes when Andrew Flintoff was having his fun with me. It was a testing time, no doubt."

Flintoff and England captain Michael Vaughan developed a plan for the left-handed Gilchrist that involved the big all rounder bowling around the wicket and back of a length on a line just outside off stump.

Flintoff executed it with such discipline that Gilchrist could not drive through the covers and also couldn't play with any security off the back foot, often edging the ball to the slips or cutting in the air to the gully region.

At other times, Flintoff's reverse swing cramped him for room and trapped him leg before.

Gilchrist averaged just 22.62 during the Ashes and failed to post a score in excess of 49.

Flintoff dismissed him on four occasions and made it five during the ICC Super Test in Sydney, when Gilchrist returned to form briefly to post 94.

That, though, remains his highest score since posting a hundred in the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington the previous March.

"I was probably a little bit timid in getting forward and going at the ball (after the Ashes). That's come as a result of Flintoff bowling around the wicket and putting the ball in areas where I couldn't do that," Gilchrist admitted today.

"It's been a testing time and I guess all the players have always joked that I'm the only one that hasn't been dropped since I started playing Test cricket and never gone through a rough trot.

"I can tick that box now, although it's not one I aspired to tick."

Gilchrist was quick to say one innings will not turn his form around and excuse his poor run, but his knock yesterday had all the hallmarks of a return to his best.

One dab over the slips for four off Andre Nel late in the day was proof of that as he careered towards what would have been his 16th Test century had he not gloved the same bowler to Mark Boucher behind the wicket on 86.

"One innings doesn't make a whole summer, but it's a nice way to start the new year," Gilchrist said.

"I'm a little bit heavy in the legs today, but gee, it's a nice feeling. Everyone is starting to feel heavy in the legs with a few aches and pain, but when it's for a positive reason, it never hurts too much."

South Africa resumed today at 1-4 in its second innings, 96 runs ahead of Australia.

Play was delayed until 11am AEDT as a result of more rain in Sydney.

- TOBY FORAGE