Can't give ground in the first innings: Gilchrist

When Sourav Ganguly said Yuvraj Singh might open the innings in the second Test, most skippers would have skipped a beat. That's because they would not have been prepared for an announcement like that. But it is not the case with the Australians.

They have come to India with a definite plan for each player and, for the moment, are not looking at Plan 'B' at all. They are only concerned about Plan 'A' and executing it to perfection.

"I believe in staying true to what we believe is the right way to play here. We are keen to execute our plans the way we did in Bangalore. The most important thing to do is to score a big total when you bat first; whether you win the toss or not is not of consequence. You just can't give ground in the first innings," said captain Adam Gilchrist.

And what about Yuvraj?

"Well, we have our plans for Yuvraj, no matter where he bats; against the old ball, against the new ball, against the spinners. We have our plans and we will look to execute," he added.

Shane Warne is on the threshold of creating history once more, but it is something the team has grown used to and not really dwelling on it.

"When Shane Warne's record happens it will be amazing. Of course, we have seen it happen before when Shane Warne equalled the world record, but for the moment there seems to be more fuss and bother coming from outside the team," said Gilchrist.

The conditions in Chennai are horrible for cricket. It is hot and humid, unlike what the Aussies experience at home. A thundershower in the morning did not help matters and increased the humidity. But the Australians are undaunted.

"Playing in Chennai is always physically more demanding," asserted Gilchrist. "We have played here before and we are aware of that and have prepared accordingly."

Ricky Ponting's imminent return also brings up the question of who will make way for him in the third Test.

Darren Lehmann has said he is willing to sit out as and when the need arises.

"We miss Ponting just as India misses Sachin Tendulkar. I mean these are two of the best players ever, not just of this era. India has the talent to make up for Sachin's loss but we have been fortunate that our bowlers haven't allowed their batsmen to get a start.

"Lehmann may have said that he does not want to stand in the way of a young player but that does not mean he will step aside. He has merely said that if the time comes and he has to make way, he will do so without making a huge thing about it," clarified Gilchrist.

While the Bangalore pitch was termed 'terrible' even before the first Test started, the Chennai pitch still retains some grass cover that is expected to give the bowlers more bounce.

Gilchrist feels "a lot is being made about the extra bounce of the pitch".

"Our bowlers will, of course, like the conditions, but so will Harbhajan [Singh]and [Anil] Kumble. They rely almost as much on bounce as they do on sideways movement," he said.

He played down talk about Harbhajan's alleged sledging in ther first Test, saying he is yet to experience that side of the off-spinner.

"I really didn't get involved with Harbhajan. But he is a lively, passionate cricketer who relies on being fired up in much the same way as some of our cricketers do. There is nothing wrong with that. It is inevitable that when you are competing there will some conflict on the field. But it has always been kept in check."

Perhaps, the biggest gain for Australia from the Bangalore Test was the return of the 'old' Glenn McGrath, the one whose unerring accuracy is the perfect antidote to India's batting strength.

In the first 17 overs that McGrath bowled in Bangalore he had at an RPO (runs per over) of less than one.

"McGrath's strength is his accuracy and not giving runs. We can see that he got back to his best in Bangalore. He is now fully fit and he proved that to the team and, most importantly, to himself as well," said Gilchrist.

While the Indians had a tough practice session, the Aussies had optional nets, with most of their big players (Matthew Hayden, McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Warne, Gilchrist) staying back at the hotel.

Gilchrist explained the decision to give the players some rest, saying, "We are relaxed now, but come tomorrow we realize that there are still three Tests to play and India can turn it from here. We are prepared."