Australia in South Africa, 2005-06

Buchanan does not expect disciplinary problems

Cricinfo staff

February 21, 2006

Adam Gilchrist: 'It's great to be back on familiar territory and hopefully I can carry over my recent form' © Cricinfo Ltd

The Australians arrived on Monday and they have predicted hostile receptions after the South Africans were racially abused by Australia crowds during their recent tour. However, Buchanan said extra measures to avoid confrontation were not called for.

"Management has just reiterated the same approaches, nothing more than normal, for incidents both on and off the field," he said. "Our record over the last while has been pretty well exemplary, with just the odd incident, and we hope to leave the tour unscathed."

Mark Boucher, the South Africa wicketkeeper, said in an interview with The Wisden Cricketer that he hoped "our public give them a bit of stick". "We've taken a serious amount," he said. "In the past our crowds haven't been too great with them, but, trust me, we're not going to sit back and say 'shame, poor things'."

For the Australia vice-captain Adam Gilchrist touring South Africa is a wonderful experience, not least of all because of his magnificent record in the country.

"I'm just very excited to be here," he said. "The tour's come nice and quick, it doesn't feel like four years since the last one and I have even fonder memories of winning the World Cup here three years ago. It's great to be back on familiar territory and hopefully I can carry over my recent form.

"Everyone seems so genuinely happy to have us here and the hospitality is second to none. Obviously a lot has been said about the stupid incidents in Australia, but I don't think anything drastic will happen here. The abuse will be there, you expect it anywhere in the world, but it will not be untoward."

However, he told AAP he had one "mixed memory" from the day he shed tears on reaching a double-century at Johannesburg after being the target of a vicious email rumour and crowd banners regarding his personal life. "But that day I happened to score 200 as well so that's always going to be a more fond memory than a bad one," he said. "I've moved on from that. That was just utter rubbish and that's well and truly been eliminated. I won't anticipate anything more directly aimed at me than anyone else in the whole team."

Gilchrist also had praise for the South Africa captain Graeme Smith, who endured a torrid time in Australia during his team's losing run. "Graeme has tried to lead with a strong hand and a strong voice," he said, "and I admire his tenacity in deciding to lead that way."

Australia's first match is a Twenty20 against South Africa at the Wanderers on Friday and they will be without Michael Hussey, whose wife is expected to give birth this week.

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Stories

Smith hopes Aussies won't moan about crowds

Langer calls Boucher's respect comments 'stupid'

Boucher: 'No love lost, just respect'

Players/Umpires

Mark Boucher

John Buchanan

Adam Gilchrist

Ricky Ponting

Series/Tournaments

Australia tour of South Africa

Teams

Australia

South Africa