Warner's spicy Ashes desire OK: Gilchrist
Oct 20, 2017 - 2:22 AM Adam Gilchrist has defended David Warner's controversial call for his Australian teammates to find their inner "hatred" of England for the Ashes, saying he has been misunderstood.Ex-England opener Marcus Trescothick has branded Warner "pathetic" for his comments, saying Australia's vice-captain risked distracting his own team if he was outspoken this summer.
But Gilchrist didn't have a problem with Warner declaring it would be "war" when the Ashes begin in Brisbane on November 23.
"I took that as him saying he just hopes to be in the battle and that he hopes that it is a tough, heated contest," Gilchrist told AAP.
"I didn't read into it that he would be going out there and verbally abusing anyone.
"It's a nice headline though."
Warner also called for umpires to officiate the Ashes "like State of Origin" and adopt a more lenient approach to on-field flare-ups and sledging, saying it's what the fans wanted.
Gilchrist agreed the Ashes would be willing on-field but did not expect anyone to step over the line during the five-Test series.
"Those comments by Davey, I just read that, like the rest of the team, he hoped England threw everything at them and vice versa," he said.
"It's Test cricket. They want it hard fought but played within the parameters of what is acceptable."
Gilchrist believed Australia would have the edge on Ashes holders England, even if their vice-captain Ben Stokes played.
Allrounder Stokes' future is up in the air after a brawl outside a Bristol nightclub that resulted in a man being taken to hospital with facial injuries.
"There is a lot to like about this series," Gilchrist said.
"I think they are pretty evenly matched teams.
"I think at full strength our guys just have their nose in front but clearly if Stokes doesn't come, which is looking more and more likely, that is a big blow."
But Gilchrist knew better than to make any bold series predictions.
"In a two-horse race you never know," he said.
"Australia went to England in 1989 under the 'worst ever team to tour' tag and won 4-0.
"You never want to get too far ahead of yourself."
Gilchrist is confident Australia were in an ideal position to reclaim the urn with the first Test starting on the lively Gabba deck.
Australia have not lost a first Test in Brisbane since 1988.
"The first Test doesn't necessarily decide a series but it can set the tone for how the team is feeling for the rest of the series," Gilchrist said.
"Australia has traditionally played really well here and that has really set up a strong series."
Source: AAP
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