Adam Gilchrist's timing when deciding to walk has always been well calculated. He had already made his name as an Errol Flynn-style swashbuckler when he left the 2003 World Cup semi-final without waiting for the umpire to rule on his nick. The stance became his trademark. He always knew when he edged and as he prepared for the third day against India he was certain he was ready to step down.
The past month has been tough for Gilchrist, whose concentration could no longer sustain full days in the field and caused easy catches to be spilled. A man of the highest standards does not need to be told his powers are waning and Gilchrist went before the occasional lapses could blur his spectacular name.
Cheerful and good-natured, except when dealing with criticism, he can be classed with Keith Miller as the country's greatest allrounder - the criteria didn't include wicketkeepers until he arrived in 1999 as a 28-year-old. He will leave with the greatest number of dismissals in the world, his 17 Test centuries are the most by a wicketkeeper-batsman and his big hitting became the prototype for the new breed of batsman, although the clones have not been able to sustain the output.
Milestones were always accepted with an "aww, gee, how lucky am I" type of shrug. He insisted the marks were never the goal, but after signaling his intention to bow out a day after reaching a world-record 414 dismissals it showed how much some numbers mean. Having assumed the international gloves from Ian Healy, a more traditional and technical keeper, Gilchrist was always trying to prove his skills were up with those of his revered predecessors.
One of his few regrets will be that the quality of his hands was debated during the first half of his final Test. He was precious about his glovework - he yelled at the TV in the dressing room as recently as day two when the Nine commentators were talking about him - and was always fighting for recognition. Mastering Shane Warne for eight years must surely count as one of the greatest achievements for a man with rooms full of them. But no matter how good he was, his keeping could never match his batting, which was as out of this world as some of his 243 international sixes.
Towards the end of his childhood training sessions with his father Stan he would try to blast balls into orbit. He became so proficient that the strokes could not be classed as flukes even though they retained an agriculture air. The ability was eventually transferred to the international arena following a cross-country route and he won a promotion ahead of Healy, whose 395 dismissals he passed at the start of the India series.
The jeers on his Brisbane debut quickly became cheers as he dominated attacks and wooed the public with his fresh looks and down-to-earth outlook for 96 Tests. At 36 his life after cricket is about to start. He has been a wonderful player who has changed the game, but it is starting to move on and he has shown impeccable judgment again.
Peter English is the Australasia editor of Cricinfo
One of the very few 'Gentlemen of Cricket', particularly amidst his 'Hard' fellow mates ! He will be known for his 'Walking' for a long time, more than for his record of catches behind or his swashbuckling batting ! Again he has 'Walked', this time for good when he is still at the top ! You have always shown the way to others, which makes you so SPECIAL !! God bless you Gilly and all the best in your future endeavours ! Posted by sharadxxx on January 27 2008, 07:10 AM GMT
Well said, Peter, about a man who has rewritten the books under two captains who had re-written the books. Gilly; you have made your mark on the game in so many ways. You will be missed. Posted by choo_for_twenty_choo on January 27 2008, 05:58 AM GMT
Gilly is one of the best cricketers of world cricket of all time.he is the most dengerous odi batsman of his time and a great wicket keeper.But the most important thing was when he lead the Australian team absence of Ricky Ponting and batted very well and got lead in the series what gave them path of series victory eventually in India . Posted by qaz000 on January 27 2008, 05:55 AM GMT
A great cricketer shows us how greatness can be further enhanced by acknowledging the forces of nature. Age, waning concentration and abilities are beyond the control of humans, and when the time sets in, the best and the brightest know that it is time to step down. Reason is simple: they are so good that they do not tolerate even that small margin of error in themselves. Which just makes them better. Hats off to Gilly, you will always be remembered. Posted by Koushik_Biswas on January 27 2008, 05:07 AM GMT
gilly is one of the few cricketers who i look forward to see playing.he is one of the very few i'll stay up to see bat.like the 57 ball hundred last year at 3;00AM New york time.some of these guys put you to sleep during the day like chanderpaul,kallis etc.i think it is the right time to retire while still on top with signs of early deterioration.australia were lucky dravid out of touch.he seem to like dropping him.lol.australia cannot afford to drop vvs either.anyway after 10 yrs of virtual flawless keeping i will overlook a bad day or two.we should not expect haddin to full gilly's big shoes either. Posted by jackson_cricketbuff on January 27 2008, 04:26 AM GMT
Adam gilchrist is one of those players who have make the name noble sportsman by the way he left after feeling that he's out and shown great respect for umpire's. it's not small thing in these commercial times, when every cricketer is hungry of staying on crease as long as some one tells him to walk back, but this true gentleman have shown us that how to bring respect in the sports(accepting), even he is the greatest of all time wicketkeeper batsman but look how he respect the game, even he may not be correct(some times) but he didn't waited for umpire to send him back, that he can also see and know, that he's out and should be walking back. this action is greatest of all no matter what else he have done and achived, that teaches us all, that respecting the rules is not to bend them to the breaking point, but also to accept it when we know that i'm out and should walk. i slute to mr gilly for all the entertainment he have given to us, like CRICKET'S "A+" SALESMAN. best wishes to u sir. Posted by munirhk on January 27 2008, 03:44 AM GMT
It saddens me that such a legend of the game should bow out in a series where the Australian media have been so scathing in their criticism of the Australian team and particularly of Gilchrist himself.
The same journalists who were calling Gilly washed-up and demanding his retirement two days ago, will now write lovely articles hailing him as one of the best and lamenting his departure from the game.
This is being called a "shock retirement", but anyone who had read the nonsense written over the last two weeks will not be shocked that Gilly has finally had enough of it.
Gilly is a true legend of the game and a great bloke as well. Hang your heads in shame Aussie media.
Posted by JB77 on January 26 2008, 22:15 PM GMT
A true legend, a player who will almost always be picked in most all time world XI's. As for the timing of his retirement , Gilchrist knows best. I think he may have just chosen the right time to go i.e. to go on a high note after achieving the world record. He has had a career few can dream about, let alone match. I would like to add that he could certainly be regarded along side Sir Gary Sobers as the games greatest all rounder (if we take his wicket-keeping and batting skills into account).His boots will be very hard to fill in. We will miss you, Gilly. Posted by Zeesy17 on January 26 2008, 22:13 PM GMT
Yes! Gilly has done it again. The perfect timer in batting, knowing when he is out and walking. It is better to leave at your peak, at a time of your choice rather than waiting for someone to tap on your shoulder as has happened to many others. Not Gilly. Well done mate!! Posted by RenaJasmine on January 26 2008, 21:54 PM GMT
Gilchrist's timing has been impeccable. He still has it -- both behind and infront of the stumps -- but we all knew that he was on the edge of a serious decline. Watching him bat has been the greatest cricketing spectator lure of this last decade. He's changed the mold. He's changed the game. He will be remembered as the very best. So, what comes next? Posted by Yankee_cricket on January 26 2008, 21:51 PM GMT
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