Gilchrist mustn’t put down second chance

Moreover, Ponting is a livelier captain than a predecessor inclined to rely on processes as opposed to tactical interventions. Steve Waugh famously lost his way on the final two days of the epic in Kolkata, a mistake his successor is unlikely to repeat. Indeed Australia made several errors in those memorable matches and is unlikely to repeat any of them, a consideration that reinforced confidence in the Oz camp that this mountain can be climbed.

Obviously Ponting’s absence as captain would be less damaging had Adam Gilchrist proved himself as a leader. Serving as a vice-captain is not the easiest of tasks because a fellow is torn between carrying on the work of his senior and following his own instincts. Gilchrist suffered in his most memorable experience as a Test captain from trying to copy the incumbent. Steve Waugh had committed his team to attack, an admirable outlook that left him exposed when the match went the distance. Under his leadership Australia was repeatedly unable to protect strong positions on the fifth day, a failing due to his reluctance to prey upon the nerves of opponents by setting tight fields.

By the time Gilchrist took the team onto the field in the Leeds Test match Australia had won the series, a point that further weakened his hand. Even so his declaration of the 4th evening seemed unduly generous and his inability to slow England’s scoring on the last day counts against him.

Rather than sending men to patrol vulnerable parts of an unusually shaped field, Gilchrist maintained a packed slip cordon and watched apparently helpless as the boundaries came thick and fast. Mark Butcher scored a hundred and the hosts romped to victory. Gilchrist presided over wins in his other opportunities to lead the team against West Indies and Sri Lanka without ever quite displaying the confidence to take a team into a series against a tough opponent. Of course Gilchrist has not had the chance to lead a side at the start of a series but has instead worked with an inheritance.

Fortunately he is a student of the game and though he may not be as sharp a tactician as Ponting, he is quite capable of absorbing the lessons of the past. As much could be inferred from his patient batting in the warm-up match at the CCI ground in Mumbai. Abandoning the frantic lashings of four years ago, Gilchrist took a close look at the bowling, playing with a straight bat and using his feet to drive down the ground. Only towards the end of a convincing occupation did the gloveman try the premeditated sweeps that were his undoing last time around.

Applying the same principles to his captaincy, Gilchrist will surely maintain a stronger grip on the game than he did at Headingley. Nevertheless Ponting has made an exceptional start as captain and is bound to be missed.

Nor has a satisfactory candidate been found to replace Ponting at first wicket down. The Australian captain must be cursing his luck about many things, not least his inability to confirm that he, too, can score runs in Indian conditions. Unusually the selectors nominated lower order men as their spares on this tour and now find themselves obliged to promote Simon Katich and to introduce a fresh face at further down, namely Michael Clarke, Brad Hodge or Shane Watson.

Undoubtedly Ponting’s withdrawal has left a bigger than expected hole. Of course it follows hot upon the heels of the retirements of the Waugh twins and the putting out to pasture of Michael Bevan. Australia’s batting has lost some of its authority and the openers may feel under more pressure than previously. Had Ponting been around an Australian win could confidently have been predicted. Now the affair appears to be, like much else hereabouts, in the lap of the gods.

(Cricket News)