In a press conference, Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist said, ‘It is a boosting moment for our team, as Shane Warne is heading to claim his 700th test wicket in the Perth test against England’, and truly the indefatigable legend is all pepped up to conquer the world.
Warne has 694 test wickets in 142 tests and he is the only player to reach the 700 wickets mark in test.
As the Perth test is approaching, Warne’s attitude is going positive and it also infected the players as the players are looking forward to clinch the Ashes series, Gilchrist reported.
‘Warne is energizing the team and is being quite vibrant and vocal’, Gilchrist said. He added that everyone in the team are trying to know, what he is up to.
The pitch at the WACA ground, which was a boon for fast bowlers, has changed to a slower and more spinner-friendly pitch which may aid Warne to claim the 700th wicket at the Perth test.
Warne claimed six wickets in Australia’s last test on the ground, against South Africa in 2005, and now he is looking forward to claim another six wickets in the Perth test. Warne has taken 32 wickets in 11 tests at Perth at an average of 37.32.
Gilchrist remarked, that he would love keeping to Shane as he will chase the 700th wicket milestone. He added that Warne is the player, who has given Gilchrist the pleasure to play with. Wisden has crowned Warne as one of the best five cricketers of all times.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting is quite optimistic that Warne will clinch his 700th wicket as the WACA pitch is likely to turn a little earlier than usual.
