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Adam Gilchrist

Adam Gilchrist of Australia (cropped)
Adam Gilchrist of Australia (cropped) Image: Wikimedia Commons. Luton Anderson / CC BY-SA 2.0

Adam Craig Gilchrist (born 14 November 1971) is an Australian cricket commentator and former international cricketer who served as wicket-keeper and captain of the Australia national cricket team. An attacking left-handed batsman and record-breaking wicket-keeper, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest wicket-keeper-batsmen in the history of the game and is credited with redefining the role through his aggressive batting.

Key facts

Full name Adam Craig Gilchrist
Born 14 November 1971
Nationality Australian
Role Wicket-keeper, left-handed batsman
First-class debut 1992
ODI debut 1996, in India
Test debut 1999
Test matches 96
One Day Internationals Over 270
Test centuries 17
ODI centuries 16
Retired (international) March 2008
Retired (domestic) 2013

Background and early career

Gilchrist made his first-class debut in 1992 and went on to represent Australia at the international level from the mid-1990s. His first One Day International appearance came in 1996 during a tour of India, and he made his Test debut in 1999.

International career

Gilchrist served as Australia's regular vice-captain in both Test and limited-overs formats, taking over the captaincy when regular captains Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting were unavailable. He was a member of the Australian sides that won three consecutive Cricket World Cups — the 1999, 2003 and 2007 editions — and the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy. He is one of only three players to have won three World Cup titles.

Gilchrist held the world record for the most dismissals by a wicket-keeper in ODI cricket until it was surpassed by Kumar Sangakkara in 2015, and held the corresponding record for the most by an Australian in Test cricket. He was the first player to have hit 100 sixes in Test cricket. His 17 Test centuries and 16 ODI centuries are both second only to Sangakkara among wicket-keepers.

Notable innings

  • A 57-ball century against England at Perth in December 2006, which stands as the fourth-fastest century in all Test cricket.
  • 149 off 101 balls against Sri Lanka in the 2007 World Cup final, regarded as one of the greatest innings in World Cup history.
  • Scored at least 50 runs in three consecutive World Cup finals — in 1999, 2003 and 2007 — a unique record.

Playing style and reputation

Gilchrist's strike rate is among the highest in the history of both ODI and Test cricket. He was also renowned for "walking" — leaving the crease when he considered himself to be out, on occasion contrary to the decision of the umpire — a practice that became a notable aspect of his sportsmanship.

Retirement and later work

Gilchrist retired from international cricket in March 2008, though he continued to play domestic tournaments until 2013. He has since worked as a cricket commentator.

References