Gilchrist to miss Delhi warm-up game

Gilchrist to miss Delhi warm-up game
Express News Service

New Delhi, March 4: Australian wicketkeeper-batsman and vice-captain Adam Gilchrist will miss the three-day match between March 6 and 8 against Board President's XI at the Ferozshah Kotla here due to a ``niggle in the hip.''

His replacement Brad Haddin from New South Wales will be flying here on Monday night. ``He will take the first available flight to reach here in time for the Delhi game,'' Gilchrist informed.

This was revealed here today at a press conference, a couple of hours after the team had landed from Mumbai, to announce Foster's involvement as the official beer of the 2001 Australian team's tour to India. Both Ricky Ponting and Michael Kasprowicz, who joined the promotion of the brew, later addressed the media.

Gilchrist, who played a match-winning knock in their first innings in the Mumbai Test, however, expressed confidence that he would be fit for the second Test to be played at Kolkata from March 11. ``There is nothing to bother. I hope I'll be all right before the Kolkata Test,'' the Australian vice-captain said. ``I developed slight stiffness in my hip while warming up in Mumbai after the Test. Rather than taking a risk, I am only taking a precautionary measure,'' he added.

Talking about Brad Haddin, Gilchrist said: ``He deserves his chance in the team. I am sure all the colleagues will encourage him.''

A THORN IN THE FLESH: Ricky Ponting today joined the Sachin Tendulkar Fan Club by saying that ``it was Sachin Tendulkar whom the Aussies target in each innings'' and termed his crucial catching of the Indian maestro in the second innings of the Test as ``probably the best'' of his career.

``He is a class batsman. A real thorn in our flesh. It is he who we target in every innings,'' the middle-order batsman said of Sachin.

And naturally, Ponting was asked more about the specatcular catch -- which he took after the ball ricocheted off Justin Langer's shoulder - the Ausssie said, ``It was probably the best ever... given the circumstances. It (Sachin's wicket) was a major breakthrough for us.''

On a lighter note, Ponting who was out without scoring in the first innings, said, ``I think I have taken more catches than scored runs in my career.''

Right-arm seamer Kasprowicz, who did not play in the Mumbai Test, said he would ``use the opportunity in the Delhi game ``to boost my contention for the Kolkata Test.''

``I have actually been batting better than bowling, so I might get a chance in the Test,'' Kasparowicz quipped, exhibiting his sense of humour.

VISITORS TAKE IT EASY:Meanwhile, the touring Australian cricketers have decided to take things lightly prior to their third and final warm-up game of the tour, to be played against Board President's XI here from Tuesday.

Only half-a-dozen players turned out at the Kotla grounds this evening to have a light practice session while most of the senior players, including skipper Steve Waugh, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Damien Fleming decided to confine themselves to the realm of their hotel rooms.

The Australian cricketers were scheduled to attend a `party' at the Australian High Commissioner's residence on Sunday night and tomorrow morning the team would visit Agra to see the Taj. They will have no `nets' on Monday.

All members of the Board President's XI are expected to reach here by Monday morning and will have a practice session at the Kotla.