Gilly won’t bat with squash ball in gloves during MCL

Dubai: Adam Gilchirst, the explosive Australian wicketkeeper-batsman who thrashed Sri Lanka in the final of the 2007 ICC World Cup in West Indies by batting with a squash ball inside his gloves, said he would let his bat do the talking during the Masters Champions League.

When Gulf News asked him whether he would repeat the tactic while playing in the MCL in February next year, Gilchrist remarked in zest: “No, it is not required in Twenty20 cricket. In Twenty20 cricket, I will keep my technique correct and follow my T20 technique.”

Gilchrist, who used to be a regular in the IPL, feels it will be a great moment to return to the game.

When asked who would be the player he would have loved to see in T20, he said: “Curtly Ambrose will be great to be seen in action. It would have been very difficult to take even 12 runs an over from him.”

On Glenn McGrath’s prediction that Australia will record a clean sweep over England in the summer’s Ashes series, Gilchrist said: “I think Australia will start as favourites. I think we have a very strong bowling line up at the moment — especially in the seam department. The batsman scores the runs but Test cricket is all about taking those 20 wickets and our guys are well positioned for it. I don’t want to make any predictions of scoreline but I do think our guys start favourites and we go from there. “

“The reality is he is not there.”