Waugh tells Gilly to tone down his game

Sydney, Mar 1 (UNI) It seems Australia's poor show just before the World Cup has apparently brought some nightmares among the cricketing circles, with former Australian one-day maestro Mark Waugh urging flamboyant wicket-keeper batsman Adam Gilchrist to tone down his game.

''I think Gilly has to tone down his game and spend more time in the wicket in order to ensure that Australia post big scores in the World Cup,'' the legendary opening batsman told the Daily Telegraph.

Commenting on Gilchrist's impatient attitude, Waugh, Australia's leading run-scorer in one-day international history, said, ''Gilly is that good a player, he can score runs without trying to overhit the ball. I think he is too impatient. He needs to get through that first five or six overs and if he does that, he is one guy who can smash the opposition to the backfoot.'' Waugh also advised the big-shouldered Mathew Hayden to remain calm in the early stages of the innings.

''Both Gilly and Hayden have got good shots in their armoury, they just need to be patient for runs to come,'' he said.

The stylish opener also expressed concern over the poor form of spinner Brad Hogg and felt spinners are going to play the deciding factor in the Caribbean pitches.

UNI