AdamGilchrist

Ashes Tests: 20

Captain: Once

Record: 0-1

Off the Mark

Adam Gilchrist will go down as one of the most electrifying cricketers of all time. Since the inception of time, wicketkeepers were expected to be impenetrable behind the stumps, and handy with the bat. Not for Gilchrist. He transformed the role, with the modern keeper having to double up as a specialist batsman as well.

Gilchrist’s Ashes career saw him plunder 1,083 runs, hold 89 catches, and produce seven stumpings. In his 20 appearances against England, nobody will forget the audacious 57 ball century he scored at Perth in 2006.

His Stint

The 2001 Ashes tour couldn’t have started any better for Gilchrist, with the Western Australian talisman hitting 152, 90 and 54 in the first three Tests. An injury to Steve Waugh left Gilchrist in charge of the fourth Test at Headingly. Centuries to Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn saw the tourists reach an imposing 447. Glenn McGrath then continued his torturous attack on the English, snaring seven wickets in their total of 309. With heavy rain on the way, Gilchrist instructed his batsmen to attack. Ponting obliged, hitting a run a ball 72 as Australia reached 176 inside 40 overs. With four sessions left in the game, the new skipper decided to declare, setting the hosts 315 for victory. Although both openers fell cheaply, Mark Butcher would terrorise the Australians with an awe inspiring 173*. England reached the target with six wickets to spare, handing Gilchrist defeat in his first match in charge.

His Legacy

Despite losing his only Ashes match as captain, Gilchrist lost no friends. His aggressive approach to the role was indicative of the style in which he played the game. His tactics promoted entertaining cricket; a far-cry from the dour games we saw in the 1960’s and 70’s.

As a player, Gilchrist set the trend as to how a modern cricketer should perform. He was a fearless batsman who could hit the ball anywhere. His Test strike rate of 81.95 is astounding, especially when you consider he still managed to average almost 48. Few players have garnered as much respect as Gilchrist, with his decision to walk in the 2003 World cup semi-final a testament to the way he carried himself on the field.

Played and Missed

Gilchrist finished his career with a record setting total of 100 sixes.

He also managed to set an Australian record with 416 dismissals.

His century off 57 deliveries was the second fastest of all time.

Gilchrist used to put a squash ball in his glove to help him hit straighter.

Gilchrist finished his career in the Indian Premier League by dismissing Harbajhan Singh. It was his only delivery during the tournament, and one gets the feeling he would have secretly enjoyed removing one of Australia’s greatest antagonists.