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Gilchrist upbeat on Aussie future Gilchrist upbeat on Aussie future
(about 9 hours later)
Australia vice-captain Adam Gilchrist believes the side have enough strength in depth to remain cricket's top dogs as their current stars call it a day.Australia vice-captain Adam Gilchrist believes the side have enough strength in depth to remain cricket's top dogs as their current stars call it a day.
Damien Martyn has already quit and Shane Warne will do so at the end of the Ashes series against England. Damien Martyn has already quit and Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath will follow at the end of the Ashes series.
Australian cricket was hit hard by a series of retirements in the mid-1980s.Australian cricket was hit hard by a series of retirements in the mid-1980s.
"That experience has enabled us to brace ourselves for the transition, whether it's over six weeks or a 12-month period," said Gilchrist."That experience has enabled us to brace ourselves for the transition, whether it's over six weeks or a 12-month period," said Gilchrist.
Following the decisions of Martyn and Warne, there has also been speculation about the futures of Glenn McGrath, Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden and Gilchrist himself, all of whom are now 35 and over. There has also been speculation about the futures of Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden and Gilchrist himself, all of whom are now 35 and over.
606: DEBATE Do we have a chance of now regaining the Ashes in 2009? Let's hope so TC 606: Have your say606: DEBATE Do we have a chance of now regaining the Ashes in 2009? Let's hope so TC 606: Have your say
There is concern, however, about them all bowing out at the same time, leaving the national team short of experience.There is concern, however, about them all bowing out at the same time, leaving the national team short of experience.
"It's fair to say there is probably a group of us who have been considering where we are at and what further part we've got to play in cricket, or what further part cricket has got to play in our lives, but not to the point where it is a real sit down, decision-making time," Gilchrist said."It's fair to say there is probably a group of us who have been considering where we are at and what further part we've got to play in cricket, or what further part cricket has got to play in our lives, but not to the point where it is a real sit down, decision-making time," Gilchrist said.
"As Shane has said, and I would probably adhere to the same policy, I think the time comes to you and it will really reveal itself when it is the right time, and I certainly don't feel like that is the case at the moment. "As Shane has said, I think the time comes to you and it will really reveal itself when it is the right time, and I certainly don't feel like that is the case at the moment.
"Quite obviously Shane has said that the priorities for him in life aren't now playing Test cricket so his desire is not there."Quite obviously Shane has said that the priorities for him in life aren't now playing Test cricket so his desire is not there.
"I'm sure over the next week to 12 months there will be a number of guys asking themselves the same question at some stage.""I'm sure over the next week to 12 months there will be a number of guys asking themselves the same question at some stage."
Gilchrist insisted Australia could remain the number one team in the world but echoed coach John Buchanan's view that they may have to change the way they play following the loss of Warne and, in due course, McGrath from their bowling attack. Gilchrist insisted Australia could remain the number one team in the world.
But he echoed coach John Buchanan's view that they may have to change the way they play following the loss of Warne and McGrath from their bowling attack.
"We've been without them before, though, and still been able to win," he added."We've been without them before, though, and still been able to win," he added.
"Maybe it's not been quite so comprehensive or more of a fight but that's just natural because they've got 1,200 wickets between them and they are the best ever."Maybe it's not been quite so comprehensive or more of a fight but that's just natural because they've got 1,200 wickets between them and they are the best ever.
"They will be tough shoes to fill but I do feel we can maintain our standards of being one of the most competitive teams in the world, if not maintain that number one position.""They will be tough shoes to fill but I do feel we can maintain our standards of being one of the most competitive teams in the world, if not maintain that number one position."