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http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/wc2007/content/current/story/281416.html

Expected to play World Cup warm-up after birth of child

Gilchrist available for entire World Cup

Cricinfo staff

February 24, 2007

Adam Gilchrist: 'We're delighted that Archie has arrived safely as a brother for Harrison [aged 5] and Annie [aged 2]. Melinda and Archie are fit and well' © Getty Images

The injury-hit Australian squad received a boost after Adam Gilchrist made himself available for the entire World Cup following the birth of his third child. Gilchrist is expected to arrive in West Indies ahead of his team's opening World Cup warm-up game against Zimbabwe on March 6.

Gilchrist became a father for the third time following the birth of his son, Archie, in Perth on Saturday. Gilchrist missed the recent Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series in New Zealand, which Australia lost 3-0, to spend time with wife, Melinda, in the final few days of her pregnancy. He was earlier set to miss the first three weeks of the World Cup after getting compassionate leave from Cricket Australia.

Gilchrist said: "We're delighted that Archie has arrived safely as a brother for Harrison [aged 5] and Annie [aged 2]. Melinda and Archie are fit and well." Gilchrist will spend the next few days with his family before leaving for the Caribbean.

Australia's first game of the World Cup is on March 14 against Scotland and the squad is also waiting on the fitness of Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden. Hayden is waiting for his fractured toe to heal while Symonds had surgery on his arm before the CB Series finals and hoped to make a mid-tournament entry. Brett Lee has already been ruled out of the tournament with ankle injury.