MUMBAI, Oct. 20. — Stand-in skipper Adam Gilchrist had declared on arrival that the Aussies planned to cut down on their commercial endorsement appearances in India, in order to focus better on the cricket. But the one week gap between the second and third Tests has given the Wizards of Oz some time off to flex their commercial muscles. Some of the Aussies have descended in Mumbai to add to their bank balances in addition to the runs and wickets already amassed in the two Tests gone by. Others have flocked to Goa on a similar mission.
Out here, Jason Gillespie is all geared up to trawl the pubs tonight and make patrons ‘dizzy’ on behalf of a beer brand which prides itself on its Ozzie origins. Dashing Brett Lee may not have seen any of the Test action so far on Indian soil, but he will get plenty of it tonight at a suburban nightclub where he rock the joint with his guitar and vocals. The blond bombshell’s exertions are in support of an international watch brand which is celebrating its 150th anniversary. Opener Justin Langer, who has played some glittering knocks in the past, was in equally dazzling company this afternoon when he unveiled a diamond jewellery collection at a city five-star hotel.
“Even though we are one-up in the series it is very much alive and we have to be on our toes to emerge victorious,” the 33-year-old Western Australia opener said.