Buchanan defends Gilchrist in squash ball in glove controversy

Sydney, May 9 (UNI) Australia's World Cup coach John Buchanan has defended Adam Gilchrist's use of squash ball in the World Cup final against Sri Lanka and termed the controversy around it as non-issue.

Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Kangadaran Mathivanan had described Gilchrist's use of the squash ball as ''unethical'' and also threatened to take up the issue with the ICC.

''Everybody will be disappointed about this. The final should be a celebration of cricket and Adam's innings was outstanding. Comments like these should be ignored by the public, and be dealt with harshly as quickly as possible,'' Buchanan told ''The Age''.

''It's a non-issue. If you want to go down this road, where do you draw the line? Should it be illegal for players to receive strapping to injuries, or for batsmen to use extra grips on their bats?'' he questioned.

''There is an argument that there is some benefit there.

I hope that over time, people will ignore something like this and remember the innings for how good it was.'' In that match, Gilchrist went on to score a match-winning 149 to help Australia win the final by 53 runs. He was also awarded the man of the match for that innings.

The Australian wicket-keeper also found an ally in his predecessor Ian Healy who said he ''had a giggle'' about the furore.

''Let them all put squash balls in their gloves and see how they go,'' Healy told ''The Courier Mail''.

''Maybe a tennis ball is better, they could try that.

All protective equipment and strappings which sportsmen wear are performance-enhancing. I'm not too sure a squash ball would enhance the performance of too many people,'' he said.

UNI