Australia v Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Darwin

Australia won't focus on Warne's record - Gilchrist

Wisden Cricinfo staff

June 30, 2004

Adam Gilchrist says the focus will be on the achievements of the team, not the individual © Getty Images

Adam Gilchrist has said that the Australian team will not work around Shane Warne's attempt to break Muttiah Muralitharan's Test record. With barely 24 hours to go for the start of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Darwin, Gilchrist, standing-in as captain for Ricky Ponting, said that focusing on the individual wasn't the Australian way and that he'd be surprised if Warne disagreed with the stand.

Muralitharan withdrew from the tour, leaving Warne with a tangible chance of reaching and overtaking Murali's Test record of 527 wickets. But Gilchrist's comments indicated that Warne would have to make the most of the opportunities he gets. He made a reference to Brian Lara's recent record-busting effort and spoke about how it differed from Matthew Hayden's 380 against Zimbabwe last year.

"Ricky's stated that very strongly around the time that Brian Lara went on to get that batting world record," Gilchrist said in a press conference, referring to Ponting's disapproval of the length of Lara's innings. "It's just not the way we play. Matty Hayden got that opportunity against Zimababwe some months ago as a result of the way we were playing - that is, because he batted so aggressively that he got it within five sessions.

"So if you can achieve these personal milestones within our game plan then so be it," Gilchrist added. "Warney is talented enough to do it, but I think it's more about thinking about our process, getting that right towards winning the game, what will come with that is individual success and Shane is obviously paramount to us achieving that success."

Warne achieved phenomenal success on his return to international cricket after his 12-month drug ban, with a 26-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in three Tests. But a cancelled Test series against a feeble Zimbabwean side left him cold and short of Muralitharan's mark, while Murali added considerably to his tally in Zimbabwe.

© Cricinfo

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Players/Umpires

Adam Gilchrist

Muttiah Muralitharan

Shane Warne

Series/Tournaments

Sri Lanka tour of Australia

Teams

Australia

Sri Lanka