Titan Cup : Adam Gilchrist to be stand in for injured Healy

23 October 1996


BANGALORE, India, Tuesday, Australia on Tuesday called on Adam Gilchrist to join the team on their Indian tour as stand in for injured wicketkeeper Ian Healy.

Healy, who suffered a hamstring injury in Australia's two wicket loss to India in a Titan Cup limited overs match on Monday, would remain with the squad despite an announcement by the Australian Cricket Board in Sydney he would return home.

``We want to keep Heals here because the strain is not as bad as we thought,'' captain Mark Taylor said. ``We are getting a replacement, Gilly is coming over, but the message (that Healy is pulling out) might have been misinterpreted (by the board).''

Healy will stay with the side to have treatment with team physiotherapist Errol Alcott and may be fit to play in the triangular tournament again next week, Taylor said.

Western Australia's Gilchrist was expected to reach India on Thursday.

AFP reported: Australian wicketkeeper and vice captain Ian Healy has been forced home from the team's cricket tour of India because of injury, and will be replaced by Adam Gilchrist, the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) said Tuesday.

Healy damaged a hamstring during Monday's limited overs series loss to India in Bangalore.

ACB chief executive office Graham Halbish said it was decided it would be in Healy's best interests to return home immediately with the five test home series against the West Indies to begin late next month.

Gilchrist will depart for India Wednesday and is expected to arrive in New Delhi in time for Australia's next match in the triangular one day series against South Africa on Friday.

Gilchrist said from Perth Tuesday that it was a ``very big surprise'' to receive the call up.

``I never thought I was the only man to call on but obviously I did hope that if something did come up I'd be in line for it,'' said Gilchrist, who will be making his senior Australian debut on Friday.

``Being a bit fresher I might be able to inject more enthusiasm into the team

The 24 year old keeper lefthanded batsman was unsure where he would slot into the Australian batting lineup, but did not expect it to be in the top six. <

``With the batting depth of the Australian team, No.7 would be as high as I can get,'' he said.

Gilchrist, who has never been to the sub continent, has represented Australia at under 19 level in England in 1991 and Young Australia, also in England, last year and played one game for Australia A earlier this year.

Gilchrist has hit 2,069 runs for Western Australia and his former state New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield at an average of 38.31 and in the last two seasons has made 117 dismissals as wicketkeeper.


Source: The Daily News

Contributed by CricInfo Management
Date-stamped : 25 Feb1998 - 15:00