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Gilchrist vows reversal of fortune

Source: The Daily Telegraph - January 3, 2006

Australia vice-captain Adam Gilchrist last night promised a mop-up operation – and a return to form with his bat – to turn the tide in the third Test against South Africa.

South Africa walked away from the first day's play declaring a points victory in the third Test, happy to have survived at only three wickets down on a spicy Sydney Cricket Ground pitch.

But Gilchrist said quick wickets from Australia's pace bowlers this morning could prove a decisive blow in the tightly fought series closer.

"They played well on a (pitch) that was doing a bit early on, so we are a bit disappointed with the way the game finished but we come back tomorrow and the old line, a couple of early ones, and we get right amongst it," Gilchrist said.

No one is keener than the Australia wicketkeeper, who is itching for another chance to turn around a morale-sapping lean trot with the bat.

Since the start of last year's Ashes, the powerful hitter with a rocket-fuelled strike rate has scored just one half-century in 11 innings.

Gilchrist said it was the longest stretch without runs he has endured at international level.

"You go through three or four low scores and you say, 'Oh, nothing's wrong. It's no big deal'," he said.

"But it's continued on and it's definitely been the longest run of low scores I've had to endure in my international career.

"I desperately want runs but I don't feel pressure from anything external. I think pressure is what you put on yourself.

"I'm doing all the same things and training the same amount. It's definitely been a frustrating period of time.

"I think the biggest frustration, too, is walking off, the game finishing and knowing you have not contributed to the team cause with the bat. Again, that's new for me."

The Western Australia gloveman said he deals with form slumps by "falling back on my keeping".

"I've always said that is my No.1 job, and I stand by that," he said. "I have that belief (runs) will come eventually.

"Through my career if I have been batting well I have kept well. This is a nice scenario for me because the runs aren't coming but I feel like I'm managing the other side of things pretty well.

"That excites me. It's a good sign."

Former Test wicketkeeper Ian Healy recently declared his successor is currently keeping better than ever, but Gilchrist was quick to touch wood when asked if he agreed.

"I know I'm going to spill one if I agree with that," he said. "Someone else told me that and I didn't get a dismissal that day, which is the life of a wicketkeeper.

"But it's a wonderful compliment from the best international gloveman I saw and my hero."

- IAIN PAYTEN