Australia v South Africa, VB Series, Sydney

Gilchrist considered going for double hundred

Cricinfo staff

February 5, 2006

A return to normality: Adam Gilchrist raises his bat on reaching fifty © Getty Images

Ponting has won the toss in each of the four games against South Africa, and said Australia "just had to bat around [Gilchrist's] innings." Gilchrist, who returned to form in resounding manner last week hitting 116, resumed his battering of the South Africans with a violent innings of 88 from 66 balls.

"From 15 overs onwards, we were always going to get more than 300," Ponting said, "and when we get those sorts of totals it's always going to be difficult for them to chase. It suits our style of play. All our batters are in good shape, and now our bowling and fielding has been better as well."

Such was his rhythm that Gilchrist admitted to thoughts of becoming the first man to reach a double hundred in one-dayers. Gilchrist, whose highest score - a meager 172 made against Zimbabwe in 2004 - admitted it won't be long before the 200-run barrier is breached.

"You think that no one has got 200," he said. "But as soon as you think about it, you're out. It came to my mind when I realised how quickly I was going, hitting 80 in the 15th or 16th over. I thought it might be today. You need everything going right for it to happen, but I think one day it will happen."

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