Adam Gilchrist
From Cricipedia - The Cricket Encyclopedia!
| Adam Gilchrist | |
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| Personal Information | |
| Full Name: | Adam Gilchrist |
| Nickname: | Gilly, Church |
| Born: | 14/11/1971 |
| Bellingen, New South Wales, Australia | |
| Height: | 1.86 m |
| Role: | Wicket-keeper |
| Batting Style: | Left-hand |
| Bowling Style: | Right-arm off break |
| Tests: | {{{matches1}}} |
| Test Runs: | {{{runs1}}} |
| Test Wickets: | {{{wickets1}}} |
| ODIs: | {{{matches2}}} |
| ODI Runs: | {{{runs2}}} |
| ODI Wickets: | {{{wickets2}}} |
Adam Gilchrist (Born 14th November 1971) is a wicketkeeper-batsman who currently plays international cricket for Australia. He is a left-hand wicketkeeper batsman who is known for his attacking style and the ability to change the game within a few hours. He has the record for the most dismissals by a wicket keeper (416). He has 17 test, and 16 ODI centuries which is the most by a wicketkeeper. He is the only player in world cricket to hit 100 sixes in tests.
Gilchrist made his One Day International debut for Australia against South Africa in Faridabad in 1996. He made his test debut against Pakistan in Brisbane in 1999 where he made 81 and took 6 dismissals. Since then, he has played 282 ODIs and 96 tests.
Gilchrist is not just known for his swashbuckling skills with the bat, he is also known for walking. Famous when he was given not out in the World Cup Semi Final (in 2003) after getting a thin edge on a sweep shot which ballooned up to Sangakarra. When Rudi Koertzen gave him not out, he walked, and has done so ever since when he knows he is out.
On January 26th 2008, Adam Gilchrist announced his retirement from all forms of the game. He played his final test against India at Adelaide, and is currently playing in his final one day series.
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Early and Domestic Cricket Career
Before Domestic
Adam Gilchrist originally wanted to be a fast bowler, Dennis Lillee being his hero. But at the age of 9, he saw a pair of wicketkeeping gloves, and he changed his mind. He wanted to be a wicketkeeper, and Rod Marsh became his favourite player. When he first kept in a match, he broke his nose. He was told afterwards that Rod Marsh did exactly the same thing, and he then thought he would play for Australia. Years later, Rod Marsh actually told Gilchrist that this fact was false.
The Gilchrist family installed a cricket net into his backyard down in Lismore. And he would also practice each day in there using the bowling machine. No matter who was visiting. To help with hand-eye co-ordination, he'd use a bat, then a cricket stump and have golf balls thrown to him, and he'd use only his top hand. His dad Stan thought that it was better for Gilchrist to use his dominant hand as his left hand, hence why Gilchrist is a left hander. He is right handed at everything else (using the hammer, tennis, golf etc.) In year 9, Gilchrist signed his name on a diary page and gave it to his mate, telling him to keep it because he would play for Australia. Around 10 years later, after he made his international debut, his mate gave him the diary page, showing him the message and the signature.
Domestic Career
Adam Gilchrist played 190 First Class matches, and 348 List A matches. He hit 30 First Class centuries, with 43 50s. In the One Day form of the game, he scored 18 centuries and 62 50s. With the gloves, he took 811 dismissals in First Class cricket and 583 One Day dismissals.
Gilchrist was able to break through into the New South Wales team, and made his debut in both forms of the game in 1993/93. He was part of the winning team in the Sheffield Shield Final, scoring 20 not out. Although Gilchrist could only get into the team as a batsman, with Phil Emry blocking him from getting into the keepers position.
He decided to open up his options and moved to Western Australia in 1994, where straight away he assumed the keepers position. Replacing former Test Keeper Tim Zoehrer, and also getting the most dismissals in the competition in the 94/95 season with 55. Gilchrist again topped the dismissals next season, capturing 62 victims. His batting began to blossom that season, with an average of 50.52 for the season and a massive 189 not out in the first innings of the Shield Final against Adelaide. Although he was unable to secure them victory, as Adelaide got away with a draw to secure the Cup. He continued his good form in the 1996-97 season, with a decreased average of under 40, but he was able to top the keeping dismissals yet again, this time with 60. His good form helped him break into the International One Day team at the start of the season.
After breaking into the test team, Gilchrist's games for his state became rare, with Gilchrist playing only 7 games between 1999 and 2005.
Bibliography
Adam Gilchrist Best of the Best DVD.
