Australia wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist says despite the loss of substantial play due to rain his team could still force a result in the first cricket Test against India at the Gabba.
"Weather permitting, we have still two days left in this Test. There is a lot in this wicket and you never know. We have put 300 runs on the board and if our bowlers could consistently put the ball in the right areas, we could have a result," said Gilchrist on Saturday.
After the rain-truncated first two days, only 38 balls were possible on the third day, today, when Australia were all out for 323 and the Indians replied with 11 for no loss.
Gilchrist though was not sure whether his side would look to rush up their second innings later during the match and try and force a result.
"We did it against New Zealand and we nearly lost the game. It could have cost us the series.
"So we would be taking that into account. We would have to look at the variables; we are keen to chase results but it doesn't mean it would happen here.
"Still it would be Stephen's [Waugh] call," he said.
Gilchrist praised Indian openers Aakash Chopra and Virender Sehwag for their willingness to dig in during the six-odd overs of their innings on the third day.
"They showed a willingness to get behind the ball, show a desire to dig in and looked prepared to do the hard work. It wasn't easy for them and there were a couple of close calls," Gilchrist said.
"But as Justin [Langer] showed on the first day, you need a bit of luck to stay on this wicket and the Indians deserved praise for the way they batted."
He said Nathan Bracken was asked to open the bowing with Jason Gillespie since the left-arm paceman had always been a new ball bowler and the way he did in India and against Sehwag led to him being preferred ahead of Andrew Bichel.
"Bichel has never taken the new ball for us. Bracken, instead, had bowled well in India with the new ball, and looking at the conditions at the Gabba, we thought he could swing the ball around."
Australia did not dwell too long on their performance on the second day of the Test when they lost seven wickets for 61 runs and Gilchrist attributed the collapse to some good bowling by the visitors.
"Those were difficult conditions; the Indians bowled in short bursts and took their opportunities really well something which they didn't do on the first day.
"We acknowledged that aspect and wanted to get on positively about today's game but rain had the major say."
