Ashes: Adam Gilchrist wants Australia to stick with underperforming batsmen
Adam Gilchrist has urged the selectors to keep faith in Australia's misfiring batting line-up for the third Ashes Test.
Last Updated: 01/08/13 10:06am
Australia are 2-0 down in the five-match series in England after defeats at Trent Bridge and Lord's and need victory in Manchester to keep alive their hopes of regaining the urn.
At Lord's, Australia were bowled out for 128 and 235 in blameless conditions - but Gilchrist warned against over-reacting.
The former Australia wicketkeeper-batsman said: "Probably a bit of stability and a bit of consistency is what's required - and I suspect that's what will happen.
"The batting line-up, I suspect, will stay the same and they'll be given a chance to redeem themselves.
"They've just got to get into the game. There were plenty of positives from the first Test but the second Test was pretty demoralising for everyone.
"They just need to get into the match, into days two and three and still be competitive, then everything's possible."
Options
David Warner and Ed Cowan are both pressing for recalls after scoring runs during the past week - albeit on different continents.
Warner has rejoined the squad after being sent to play for Australia A on their tour of southern Africa, where he hit 193 against South Africa A in Pretoria.
The New South Wales left-hander was left out of the first two Ashes Tests after being banned for the warm-up fixtures for punching England's Joe Root in a Birmingham bar during the Champions Trophy.
Cowan was dropped after the first Test but responded with scores of 66 and 77 not out in the drawn tour match against Sussex at Hove.
Ex-Australia batsman Mike Hussey, who made a shock retirement from international cricket last December, doubts flying in from South Africa is the ideal way to prepare for a Test match in England.
"I'm going to be very interested to see how a few selections go," said Hussey.
"I think it's a tough ask to fly in all the way from South Africa, although it's great to see he got some runs under his belt.
"I don't know about the jet lag. To land and play a Test match is a big ask, mentally and physically, but he's a very talented player and probably Davey can."
