Adam Gilchrist and that glove. - Dellmar photo

SYDNEY, Australia (AP);

THE CRICKET coach who introduced a squash ball to Adam Gilchrist's batting glove said there was nothing sinister about the move, despite Sri Lankan objections.

The Australian left-hander scored 149 runs on April 28, the highest score in a World Cup final. After the rain-affected match, which Australia won by 53 runs, Gilchrist admitted having placed a squash ball inside the glove to get a better grip on the bat.

Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Kangadaran Mathivanan has objected to Gilchrist's tactic, which he has used for years as a practice aid to keep his bottom hand from moving too far around the grip.

"We are of the opinion that it was unethical for Gilchrist to use a squash ball to give unfair advantage," Mathivanan said, adding Sri Lanka is considering taking the matter to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

But batting coach Bob Meuleman, who introduced Gilchrist to the technique several years ago, said he laughed out loud when he heard the Sri Lankans had objected.

"Actually it's just a little bid sad that some people think there's something sinister in it," he said yesterday. "There's not."

Gilchrist's former West Australian team coach Wayne Clark said it was ludicrous to think it gave Gilchrist an unfair advantage.

"They're grasping at straws," Clark said.

Senior Australian umpire Bob Parry, who stood in a one-day match in Perth last season in which Gilchrist had a squash ball in his glove while scoring a century against Queensland state, said he had no problem with it.

"I don't see it being outside the spirit of the game. It's the same as wearing an extra inner inside a batting glove," Parry said.