Adam Gilchrist is of the opinion that the CLT20 hurt Australia’s preparations. He also said that the administrators must address issues relating to players’ workload.
The current Australian players aren’t as dominant as their predecessors. Probably, that’s why captain Ricky Ponting was opposed to his key players playing in the Champions League T20. After all, Michael Hussey and Doug Bollinger joined their mates in Chandigarh only a few days before the start of what turned out to be a great Test.
Adam Gilchrist is of the opinion that the CLT20 hurt Australia’s preparations. He also said that the administrators must address issues relating to players’ workload.
“The Champions League definitely affected the preparation of the team. There’s no doubt about it,” quipped the legendary wicketkeeper, who watched the first day’s play at the stadium.
“We understand it’s a busy cricket calendar but I beg to differ when it comes to the interest of my country. There is too much cricket being played around the world and I’m sure administrators would not be shocked to see me quote that,” added Gilchrist.
Hussey and Bollinger, two of Australia’s match-winners, were in South Africa playing for the Chennai Super Kings. Unfortunately for Ponting, Bollinger suffered an abdominal injury and couldn’t bowl on Day Five of that historic Test.
DNA had, in its edition dated October 8, reported that Cricket Australia (CA) had refused to accede to Ponting’s request to stop the duo from playing in CLT20.
However, Gilchrist confirmed that Hussey pleaded with the CA to allow him to travel to India much before the Test started. “Though he (Hussey) wanted to come to India and prepare for the Test and skip the T20 League, he was asked by Cricket Australia (CA) to stay on and play the tournament. It’s difficult for the administrators to downsize the schedule and provide a series of breaks for the players but the players workload is the biggest issue and administrators should deal with it,” Gilchrist said.
He feels Ponting has been judged critically of late. “There has been a lot of misdirected criticism about his captaincy. Ricky will be judged, especially since its going to be an important summer (Ashes followed by the World Cup). But I am sure he will be up for the challenge,” Gilchrist added.
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