Gilchrist aims to end quiet series

Adam Gilchrist admits his batting was "too watchful and negative" at Old Trafford, but he was more upset with his sloppy wicketkeeping and has vowed to improve at Trent Bridge. Gilchrist's quiet series has been costly for Australia and they must hope for a swift turnaround.

"To be honest, in Test cricket what affects me more is an ordinary day with the gloves," Gilchrist was reported by AAP. "I struggled with my keeping at Old Trafford and, at the end of the day, keeping is my job. I am not disrespecting my batting but the keeping is what I am there for. I am the only one in the team."

Gilchrist missed a string of catching and stumping chances at Old Trafford, which were highlighted by his lack of runs in the series. Andrew Flintoff has dismissed him three times and continually attacked him from around the wicket, and he has scored only 120 runs at 24 in the first three matches.

"There is no secret to the plan England have had for me and they have executed it better than I have executed my response," he said in his column in the Daily Mail. "It is just a matter of doing the work and having faith in what has been successful for me in the past. I have done all the work I usually do and a little bit more, so hopefully that will produce results in at least one of the last two Tests."

Gilchrist's batting uncertainty was particularly evident during the fourth innings at Manchester, where he scored 4 from 30 balls as Australia crept towards a draw. "On reflection, I think I was too focused on saving the game," Gilchrist said. "I should have played naturally. I was too entrenched in a match-saving mindset. I was certainly too watchful and negative." Australia will hope for the positive outlook to return as they attempt to stave off England's unrelenting challenge.