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MELBOURNE - The Australian cricket team are "a little bit sick" of ongoing criticism from high profile former players, according to vice-captain Adam Gilchrist.
While the wicketkeeper stressed he was not referring to any individuals, Gilchrist made his comments when answering a question that referred to inflammatory comments from Shane Warne.
The legendary legspinner and former Australian captain Ian Chappell have savaged former national coach John Buchanan in the press over the past few days.
Warne and Chappell are well known for having little time for Buchanan, with Chappell saying his daughter might have done a better job in charge of the Australian team.
Last week, Warne said Australian cricket was in danger of becoming too arrogant and he labelled Buchanan "a goose".
"There's been a lot said in the paper today, yesterday, this week it seems," Gilchrist said.
"It (the national team) is an elite club and we've always felt a major characteristic of being in that club is to show respect.
"It just seems that some guys in retirement have lost that.
"I'm not sure why people are getting personal about things in the press and publicly ... I think we, as a group, are just getting a little bit sick of a lot of the negative comment being afforded towards us or the people involved with the cricket team."
Gilchrist also hopes the upcoming test series against India could avoid the public niggle that went on between the two teams during Australia's one-day tour to India two months ago.
The much-anticipated four-test series will start with the traditional Boxing Day test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
India have never won a test series in Australia.
"It will be hard fought, they're a team that has said they want to take the challenge up to us in an aggressive manner," he said.
"Hopefully ... the players are not going to go down the route again of not getting too carried away with it.
"It all got a bit out of control in the one-day series in India early on.
"We're both aggressive teams, we're talented teams, and we want to play hard, aggressive cricket and not do too far with it."
Indian batsman VVS Laxman also said it was "not necessary" for strong words when playing against Australia.
Laxman is confident his team can perform well over coming weeks, provided all members play to their potential.
"It's not necessary, it depends on individuals - every individual will be different, it's just how you play your cricket," he said.
"Especially your mindset. If you've got a lot of self belief, I think you'll do well in Australia."
Gilchrist said he was yet to inspect the test pitch as speculation continues about whether Australia will unleash a four-man pace attack.
Both teams trained at the ground today, with the home selectors still to decide whether to play left-arm spinner Brad Hogg.
"It depends on the conditions, but as a general rule I've always thought a spin bowler in a test team is very well balanced as an option," Gilchrist said.
Gilchrist is also unfussed about his test batting average of 29.95 against India, well below his career average of 49.27.
"I didn't know that stat and it doesn't worry me, I won't lose sleep over that tonight, there's no box left unticked," he said.
"I've scored a couple of hundreds against them in very, very difficult circumstances.
"One of my best innings was 49 in Chennai so I'm not too bothered about what stats stack up against any opponent. It's what is required at the time."
- AAP
