February 2008

The gloves are off

From Kevin Preston

In an era where the Australian cricket team’s sportsmanship has been questioned and scrutinised, Adam Gilchrist proved the exception.

He was championed for his decision to walk during the 2003 World Cup semi-final against Sri Lanka when it appeared he would be given not out, and always played for his team and for entertainment, as he repeatedly said he did not care for statistics.

Time and again Gilchrist, refusing to wait for the umpire’s finger, would walk irrespective of how feather-like the edge.

Like everything he does, the Australian vice-captain and wicketkeeper announced his departure from all forms of cricket with dignity.

Gilchrist, 36, said he would retire from Test cricket at the conclusion of recent clash against India at the Adelaide Oval before finishing up his Australian career at the conclusion of the one-day tri series involving India and Sri Lanka.

He would be the first to admit that he has not always met his exacting standards this summer – most notably in Sydney where he was average behind the stumps, and a straightforward miss of VVS Laxman in Adelaide was a shocker.

Gilchrist has been a staunch defender of his team from former players keen to criticise. He condemned what he considered the unjustifiable criticism levelled at him and his colleagues in the recent series against India. He termed the reaction as being “over the top”.

Gilchrist is a unique cricketer and an outstanding person. He’s not a sledger. He’s first to congratulate an opponent. Of course, he’s always walked. And not since Viv Richards has a man dominated the attacks of the world in such a brutal manner.

He went quietly. A gentle statement from a gentleman.

“It is with great pride and happiness that I make the decision to retire from Test and one-day cricket,” Gilchrist said.

“I’ve come to this decision after much thought and discussion with those most important to me. My family and I have been fortunate to have had an amazing journey full of rich experiences throughout my career and are sincerely grateful to all who have helped make this stage of our lives so fulfilling.”

The 36-year-old had hoped to wait until the end of the fourth Test against India to explain his decision, but told his predecessor and Channel Nine commentator, Ian Healy, that he came to the realisation the night after he dropped the easy catch off the bat of Laxman during the match.

“There’s nothing sinister or anything to hide,” he said before a day’s play in which he received a poignant ovation from the Indian players as he walked out to bat. “There was a point in time when I just knew. I thought about discussing it with a lot of people, past players, to find out what they went through, but I just knew.”

He admitted the criticism about his glovework had taken its toll. “It’s hard for a keeper once he’s made a mistake to prove that he’s got it right again, because another dismissal chance might not come for another Test. And even then you need a ‘speccy’ for people to take notice. If you take the regulation one, you’re meant to do that.”
Apart from his keeping success, Gilchrist revolutionised the game as an attacking batsman from No 7 and scored 5,556 runs at 47.89, with a highest score of 204 not out. He scored a staggering 17 Test centuries.

Gilchrist also captained Australia in five Tests, in the absence of Steve Waugh and then Ricky Ponting, for a record of three wins, one loss and one draw.

Bush boy Gilchrist made his first-class debut in 1992-93 for NSW but established himself when he crossed the country and played for Western Australia.

He made his international debut in 1996 when he played the first of 277 one-day internationals. He was a star in the limited-overs game as an opening batsman, and played a part in Australia’s World Cup triumphs in 1999, 2003 and last year in the Caribbean.

In one-day internationals he scored 9297 runs at an average of 36.03, with 15 centuries and a highest score of 172, and he took a total of 454 dismissals.

His position is now likely to be taken by NSW’s Brad Haddin, his long-time understudy.

Gilchrist said he was keen to spend more time with his wife Mel and their three children. They all say that, but you know Gilchrist means it.
Opening batsman Matthew Hayden, who himself rates as a great of the game after recently scoring his 30th Test century, said he felt “incredibly privileged” to have played with Gilchrist for so long.
“He’s been a remarkable Australian, he’s held the baggy green in his hand with great pride and passion, great discipline, great work ethic,” Hayden said.

“(He has been) a fantastic leader and had an ability to be able to change the game and that has made Adam one of the greatest players who has ever played the game.

“He’ll be deeply, deeply missed ... greatness is what we’ve aspired to be in the Australian cricket team, and he’s fulfilled everything that has been asked of him by all of his captains and as captain himself throughout that wonderful series in India, where we won the series 2-1.”

Gilchrist changed forever the role of wicketkeeper batsman and he was as influential as Shane Warne to his team’s astonishing success.
There has also been some criticism of his batting recently since his average slipped below 50. At the moment he points to figures of 5,556 runs at 47.89 with 17 hundreds. The fact remains he is one of very few players in world cricket who can single-handedly change the course of a match and so a series.

As Shane Warne influenced a generation to bowl leg spin, Gilchrist made wicketkeepers stay in the nets to concentrate on batting.