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Gilchrist throws Martyn into the mix

Source: ABC Sport - October 3, 2005

Australian vice-captain Adam Gilchrist believes Damien Martyn has the credentials to be his new opening partner for the three one-day matches against a World XI this week.

Gilchrist will face the new ball with a new partner following the axing of Queensland's Matthew Hayden from the one-day side.

The wicket-keeper says it could be a choice between two players.

"I think Damien Martyn's one, he's got tremendous statistics having opened probably half a dozen times for Australia," Gilchrist said.

"I think he's got two or three hundreds there.

"And Simon Katich has great stats at domestic level."

Michael Clarke also opened with Gilchrist against New Zealand this year.

Meanwhile, Brad Hodge has staked his claim for a place in the Australian team for the Super Test in Sydney with a top-scoring knock against the World XI in a warm-up one-dayer yesterday.

Hodge hit 92 as Victoria went down by 12 runs at St Kilda.

It was the world squad's only warm-up before the one-dayers start on Wednesday.

Hodge's innings was the foundation of Victoria's 9 for 269 in reply to the world squad's 8 for 281.

India's Rahul Dravid earlier made 66 and South African captain Shaun Pollock contributed an unbeaten 54.

"The guys are getting on really well with each other, that's one positive aspect," Pollock said of the World XI.

"The roles still need to be chatted through, just to make sure everyone knows exactly where they stand.

"You get very accustomed to playing a certain role in your side.

"That's probably our biggest challenge. If we can just make it clear and make the guys stick to playing what role we need them to do, then we'll be really good."

The decision had already been made to rest England's Andrew Flintoff, who was hit on the shoulder by paceman Shoaib Akhtar in the nets on Saturday.

Pollock said the England all-rounder would be fit for Wednesday's series opener.