Legends in the making
India tour ‘career defining’ for Aussies: Gillespie
FORMER champion Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie has turned up the pressure ahead of the upcoming tour of India, declaring it could be “career defining” for the players.
Gillespie was part of the last successful tour of India in 2004, when Australia won the series 2-1, and was the Aussies’ leading wicket-taker on that tour with 20 scalps at 16.15.
It remains Australia’s only triumphant tour of India in 10 attempts since the summer of 1969-70, but Gillespie believes Pat Cummins’ men have a great chance to repeat the feat in the next couple of months.
“I think all us cricket tragics and fans should be pretty excited about this group of players; I know I’m excited as a cricket fan to see what this group can achieve in India,” Gillespie said.
But Gillespie said a key to success would be the bowlers keeping their egos in check.
“Back in 2004 we, as a bowling group, put our egos away,” said Gillespie, who is Australia’s ninth-greatest Test wicket-taker for Australia. “I remember in 2001, we still went over there thinking we could bowl the Australian line and length and get away with that.
“In ’04 we thought about it long and hard and reflected on it and decided we needed to just put our egos away and play subcontinent-style cricket and we did that. We had a bit of success with three quicks and ‘The King’ (Shane Warne) bowling, with some help from ‘Pup’ (Michael) Clarke and ‘Boof’ (Darren) Lehmann.
“So whichever way the Australian team goes, I think adaptability and situation awareness is going to be absolutely crucial. Backing your skills and backing your fitness is also key on the subcontinent because it’s hot, it’s humid – you’ve got to bank on your fitness and strength taking you deep into games.
“I love what Australia did in Pakistan (last year); their goal was to win on day 15 of the (three-match) Test series and I thought the way they went about it was fantastic, and there’s no reason why they can’t do it India. I think they’ve got the cattle, they’ve got the fuel, they’ve got the ammo, they’re all ready to go, I reckon.”
But Gillespie stressed it was important Australia didn’t lapse into a false sense of security just because they beat Pakistan 1-0 away last year in similar conditions to what they’ll confront in India.
“I think the quicks will get a little more assistance off the
surface in India,” Gillespie said. “Pakistan is a really tough place to bowl for a fast bowler.
“India is a challenge, but … quicks can have a real impact in India; they’ve just got to believe it up here (in the mind).”