For Ashes clash against England :
Symonds will be in my team- Adam Gilchrist
Victorious Deccan Chargers captain Adam Gilchrist said Monday he was
surprised star all-rounder Andrew Symonds was not in the Australia Ashes
squad.
Reflecting on his team’s six-run win over Royal Challengers Bangalore
in the Indian Premier League final Sunday, Gilchrist said Symonds had
been a key player, not least when he took the wickets of Ross Taylor and
Virat Kohli with successive balls to halt what seemed a Bangalore cruise
to the title.
“He’d be in my team,” said Gilchrist, who gave Symonds a glowing
testimonial at odds with the player’s “bad boy” reputation that cost him
a place in the Australian squad against South Africa last season.
“Ever since I’ve played with Andrew Symonds he’s been a real team
man,” said Gilchrist. “You saw a glimpse of that last year when he only
played four games - the respect he had from the Indian players and
international players alike. He became an instant favourite in the
squad. “He’s a great personality and a wonderful talent on the cricket
field who can turn matches.”
“It’s not just the young kids who are learning all the time, it
applies to all of us. VVS epitomises what this franchise is all about.”
Gilchrist said the team’s turnaround had been due to several factors,
including emphasising to the players to “make sure every ball is the
most important thing in their life at that moment”.
Adding strike bowlers had provided back-up for RP Singh, the
tournament’s leading wicket-taker, with first West Indian Fidel Edwards,
then Australian Ryan Harris contributing to the bowling firepower.
Gilchrist said the team’s owners had played a role by agreeing to his
requests for some changes in personnel.
“The main one was (coach) Darren Lehmann, who has a wonderful cricket
brain.”
He also brought Australian fielding coach Mike Young and fitness
trainer Steve Smith on board.
Gilchrist, who has retired from cricket except the IPL, said he
looking forward to watching the World Twenty20 in England next month.
“The players who have been here for the IPL will have an advantage -
as long as they get a chance to freshen up and have some time off before
playing in another tournament.”
JOHANNESBURG, Tuesday, AFP
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