Gilchrist predicts a whitewash

Gilchrist predicts a whitewash
Reuters

Sydney, January 4: Adam Gilchrist expects Australia to complete a 5-0 series whitewash over West Indies despite their brave comeback on the third day of the fifth Test on Thursday.

"We'll just come out tomorrow and try and put some pressure on them," the Australian vice-captain said after West Indies finished 82 runs behind with nine second wicket innings in hand.

"We've still got a handy runs lead and although the wicket hasn't deteriorated like we would have thought, it's certainly still going to get a bit dustier so we'll be positive and aggressive."

Gilchrist said the dismissal of opener Wavell Hinds with the final ball of the day had given the Australians a major pyschological boost.

Hinds was bowled for 46 after offering no shot to a delivery from paceman Glenn McGrath to leave West Indies on 98 for one.

Sherwin Campbell and Hinds put on 147 for the opening wicketin the first innings before West Indies collapsed to 272 all out.

Gilchrist said another collapse was on the cards.

"That wicket tonight was something we needed and will help our momentum tomorrow although there's certainly a lot of work to be done," he said.

"We'll remember what happened in the first innings. As soon as we got one wicket we really got a roll on, so we got that wicket tonight and we can start fresh tomorrow. That'll be in the back of our minds and I'm sure it'll be in the back of their minds."

Gilchrist said he was not surprised the West Indies openers had made such a good start to the second innings because the pitch was playing so well.

The SCG traditionally favours spin bowlers as the pitch deteriorates but Gilchrist said the pitch was obviously holding up well after Australia reached 452 in their first innings.

"You would have thought it would have been playing tricks by now but the rough areas and footmarks don't seem to be that deep. It seems to be dying a little bit and fading away but it's certainly not playing any tricks at all.

"We managed to get a very very good total and the lower half of our batting managed to contribute a lot to that total so that shows it's a reasonable wicket."

Gilchrist said he was disappointed to fall 13 runs short of a second Test century but said he could not complain too much after being dropped first ball by West Indies captain Jimmy Adams.

"I would have loved to have scored a hundred but I know it could have been a lot worse," he said.