Aussie team `a little bit sick' of former players' criticism

Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly celebrates his double century on the second day of the third Test between India and Pakistan in Bangalore, India, on Dec. 9. Ganguly is set to reach the 100-Test milestone when India face Australia in Melbourne today. PHOTO: AFP

The Australian cricket team's preparation for the first Test against India beginning today was sideswiped by criticism from former players. Vice captain Adam Gilchrist says his side is "a little bit sick" of it.

Retired spinner Shane Warne and ex-Australia captain Ian Chappell criticized former national coach John Buchanan in newspaper stories over the past several days. Both have been critical of Buchanan in the past, and Chappell said on the weekend that his daughter might have done a better job of leading the Australian team.

Last week, Warne said Australian cricket was in danger of becoming arrogant and he labeled Buchanan as "a goose."

"There's been a lot said in the paper ... this week it seems," Gilchrist said.

"It [the national team] is an elite club and we've always felt a major characteristic of being in that club is to show respect. It just seems that some guys in retirement have lost that," he said. "I'm not sure why people are getting personal about things in the press and publicly ... I think we, as a group, are just getting a little bit sick of a lot of the negative comment being afforded towards us or the people involved with the cricket team."

Australia an optional workout yesterday, with team officials yet to decide on a bowling lineup for the opener.

Former Sourav Ganguly is expected to become the sixth Indian player to reach the 100-Test milestone, following Dilip Vengsarkar, Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid.

India never won a Test series in Australia, but leading Indian batsman V.V.S. Laxman said his side needs to match Australia's aggression if it has any chance of winning the four-Test series.

"The most important thing is you have to play aggressive cricket against them," he said. "Whenever we've played aggressive cricket against them, we have done well ... you have to play to your potential. The moment you give them a slight edge, they'll walk over you, so it's important you just come out and play your natural game of cricket, like we do."

Gilchrist said he expects India to come out firing.

"It will be hard-fought, they're a team that has said they want to take the challenge up to us in an aggressive manner," Gilchrist said.

Fans the Melbourne Cricket Ground -- 75,000 are expected on the first day -- could be banned for life if found guilty of racially taunting players and fellow fans during the match.

Cricket Australia announced that undercover surveillance officers and video cameras would be placed in several parts of the ground to keep an eye on the fans and eject those who make racist comments or display banners and placards with racist slogans.

Also see: Australia reigns, little changes in cricket