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Tired Gilchrist ordered back down to No.7

Source: smh.com.au - January 19, 2006

Adam Gilchrist's long golden reign as a one-day opener seems to be over, with national selectors set to order a move down the order for the greatest wicketkeeper-batsman cricket has known.

Trevor Hohns's selection panel has reached its limit of tolerance for Gilchrist's recent form struggles at the top of the order and is understood to have decided on a move to as low as No.7 for the left-hander, who only weeks ago was ranked the No.1 batsman in the one-day game. After a mostly torrid period with the bat for Gilchrist since the start of the Ashes series, selectors are not only eager to ease the pressure on the 34-year-old vice-captain, but keen to ensure Australia have stronger starts from their opening pairing than lately.

The move, again showing a ruthless side to selectors evident through several personnel changes since the Ashes defeat, is set to take effect when Gilchrist returns from his rest - in the tri-series match against Sri Lanka in Adelaide on Australia Day.

Such a demotion would be a hefty blow to Gilchrist's confidence on top of his recent struggles. But Hohns's four-man panel also wants to firm up a new opening pairing in the lead-up to the World Cup in the West Indies in 14 months.

The move would also be made in hope that Gilchrist can regain touch, lest his form slide continues and leads to what was not long ago considered the unthinkable - that he could be dropped before the World Cup.

Gilchrist's demotion would require the agreement of captain Ricky Ponting, but sources close to the selectors say they are not expecting a battle with him. Michael Clarke has performed the opener's role with distinction for Australia when called upon in the past and would appear favourite to replace Gilchrist at the top of the order alongside Simon Katich.

Michael Hussey, a regular opener for Western Australia in the Pura Cup, is another candidate. Damien Martyn is another possibility and Australian coach John Buchanan yesterday volunteered him as a strong contender to be promoted from No.4.

With Katich and Hussey both left-handers, selectors are tempted to entrench a left-right opening pairing ahead of the defence of the World Cup, which would increase the chances of Clarke or Martyn moving up.

Clarke, Australia's regular No.6, has batted nine times as an ODI opener and made 442 runs at an average of 63, including his only two ODI hundreds.

Hussey has played 14 of his 20 ODIs at No.7 and averages a phenomenal 235 in that spot. He has proven adept at rescuing Australia after a top-order collapse by batting with the tail, and Australia's brains trust might thus be reluctant to move him from that position, especially considering Gilchrist's form.

- TREVOR MARSHALLSEA