Australia great Adam Gilchrist reveals his four World Cup 2023 semi-finalists
NEW DELHI: On Monday, Australia's famous and former wicket-keeper batsman unveiled his four semi-finalists for the 2023 ODI World Cup, which will begin in India on October 5.
When it came to identifying the four potential semi-finalists, the man with an impressive record of nearly 400 international matches spanning three formats, accumulating over 15,000 runs, and being responsible for over 900 dismissals (including catches and stumpings) had a clear and uncomplicated choice.
"I believe India and Pakistan will be in the semi-finals, with Australia and England as the other two teams," Gilchrist stated at a promotional event in Ahmedabad.
Gilchrist feels bullish about Australia's chances in India, especially given their recent success in the country. In their previous visit, they won a bilateral series 3-0.
"Australia will learn a lot from their efforts in South Africa when they come to India, they have three games before the World Cup against India so they will have a bit more of a full strength squad there so that might tell us a bit about where they are so it's a bit difficult who's gonna win it (World Cup), but I think there's probably four semi-finalists there."
Heinrich Klaasen recently took Adam Zampa to the cleaners during an ODI in South Africa, after he had gone for 113 and 70 in his quota of overs. Gilchrist, on the other hand, has complete faith in Zampa's ability to recover.
"Adam Zampa, obviously, was on the receiving end a little bit in South Africa, but it's different conditions out here in India with different pitches, and he is a world-class spin bowler and he has shown that particularly across T20 cricket, and now he gets his chance in the 50 over World Cup," Gilchrist said.
Australia will bank on their experienced players
"So it's a very knowledgeable group, and they're going to have to use all of that experience against batting lineups now all over the world and play without fear, so that's a challenge for all bowlers to take on aggressive batting lineups."
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Some have suggested moving veteran David Warner down the order, but someone who was a hugely effective opener in the shorter forms believes such a move may backfire.
"He (Warner) looked really good in South Africa for the most part of what he did, I think he has got to bat at the top, there has been some sort of discussion that he bats down the middle order, but I think he has got to open," he further explained.
"…and he (Warner) demonstrated in South Africa a couple of times that he is as aggressive and dominant at the top of the order as he has ever been, so I think they bring a lot of experience and a lot of confidence, and I think he should play at the top of the order for Australia, and if he plays really well, our opponents will fear that."