Gilchrist revels in his Lord's luck

Australia's Adam Gilchrist could not believe his luck at Lord's on Saturday after being dropped four times during his innings of 90 in the second Test against England.

"The guys kept putting them down," he said after the third day. "I certainly had my luck. It was one of my more fortunate innings.

"It would have been nice to score a hundred at Lord's but I was pretty fortunate to get past 13...and 33...and..."

The wicketkeeping all-rounder's innings helped Australia to 401, giving them a first-innings lead of 214 and a stranglehold on the game. They already lead the five-match series 1-0.

Gilchrist, who scored 152 in the first test -- when he was also dropped twice -- was asked who was the most embarrassed, him or Michael Atherton, after the England captain put him down for the fourth time at slip off a simple chance.

"It certainly wasn't me," he said. "I was trying to run it down to third man and I obviously expected it to be caught."

Asked what he made of the England bowling attack, the Australian vice-captain added: "They tried really hard. They have got plenty of intent...but I guess things didn't go their way."

Mail Cricket Editor