Gilchrist standing in the hall of fame

For more than a decade Adam Gilchrist was the soul of Australian cricket.  When Gilly was at the crease and firing, conversations in pubs came to a halt, family dinners were interrupted and and kids put on hold backyard matches to watch him dismantle the bowling attack of England, South Africa, Sri Lanka or whoever had the misfortune of taking the field against the Australia that day.

Arguably the most exciting player to ever stride out of the Australian dressing room, Gilchirst's versatility as a genuine batsmen and athletic wicket-keeper saw him belt a touring team from pillar to post from the first over of an ODI and deliver the knock-out blow during Test matches. His wicket keeping was characterised by extraordinary diving catches and his distinctive voice encouraging team mates from behind the stumps.

Despite his aggressive style, he was also a little bit old school. His conviction in walking ruffled feathers in the dressing room and behind the fence, but it also demonstrated his commitment to upholding traditional cricket values and respect for the game.

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Starting out

In 1992-93 Gilly made his debut for home state side NSW, he was selected as pinch-hitter for the NSW Sheffield Shield outfit. Phil Emery wore the 'keepers gloves at the time and securing a permanent spot as a batsmen in a NSW line-up bursting at the seam with batting talent was difficult.

Gilchrist took a punt in 1994 and headed to Perth, with no guarantees of selection in the WACA side and former Test player Tim Zoehrer to wrangled the gloves from, the odds were long. A century in the pre-season landed him the wicket/keeper batsmen spot and for the first time (but certainly not the last) there was public outcry over his selection ahead of the local hero. The chilly reception thawed over the next two seasons as Gilchrist became the leading wicket taker behind the stumps and his enterprising skill with the bat was unlike any other.

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ODI Career

Batting

Fielding

 

He made his ODI debut in South Africa in 1996. He made his first 50 against South Africa in Durban 1997 scoring 77 off 88. While he continued to put in solid performances and cameos batting at number six, it wasn't until he moved up the order to open the innings he really was really able to unleash. He scored his first hundred against South Africa in Sydney 1998 off 104 balls.

His best ODI searies at home was the 1999 CUB series against Sri Lanka, he racked up a ton in Sydney, scoring 131 off 118 smashing 10 fours and two sixes. In Melbourne he upped the ante further smashing 154 off 119 with 14 fours and 4 sixes at the MCG.

 

 

Test Career

Batting

Fielding

 

Gilchrist made his Test debut at the 'Gabba on 5th November 1999 against Pakistan. Again, it was a tough order convincing fans ousting Queensland legend Ian Healy, on home turf, was the right thing for the team. Bill Brown presented him with his Baggy Green and he wasted no time convincing fans and critics he was suitable for Test match cricket. He scored 81 on debut, took five catches and made one stumping. But it was in the second Test of the series in Hobart where he played the defining innings of his career.

Chasing 368 in the 2nd innings Australia were 5-126 and Pakistan Captain Wasim Akram was turning the screws, a Pakistan victory looked imminent. Fellow West Australian Justin Langer was holding the fort, when Gilchrist strode the to crease. Gilchrist used 110 balls to score his maiden Test ton, fifty coming off just 38. A magnificent fight back from the pair ended with an Australian victory and the pair set the record for the highest ever 6th wicket partnership in Australia.

The fight back became a hallmark of Gilchrist's career, he could be relied upon to score runs quickly. The added batting depth he afforded the team lifted them from a great team to an outstanding one, while he was behind the stumps and at the crease Australian cricket enjoyed an era of unprecedented success.