TRIBUTE TO GILLY

orkut - Messages

The greatest wicketkeeper-batsman the game has even seen. Wicketkeeper-batsmen will always be compared to Gilly and they will never be as good."
Former Australia captain Kim Hughes

"It's very easy to talk about his batting, but it was his glovework right from day one, in his first Test match in Brisbane, that I liked."
Gilchrist's predecessor Ian Healy


He revolutionised the game in terms of being a wicketkeeper-batsman
Mark Boucher
South Africa wicket-keeper

"He changed the way countries would look at wicket-keepers - people only picked keepers who could bat really well. And that wasn't just it. What really worked for Australia was Gilchrist coming in at number seven and changing the complexion of a game single-handedly."
India Test captain Anil Kumble
"By what he has done, everybody else will measure how a wicket-keeper should be selected in terms of the balance of your side. His batting and keeping established him as an all-time great of the game."
Former Australia coach John Buchanan



"I've never seen a man with his job description shape the course of so many games."
Former Australia wicket-keeper Rod Marsh

"A very, very dangerous player to be up against. A great person too."
India batsman Sourav Ganguly

"He was a fantastic player and a great opponent. You didn't feel comfortable until you got him out."
South Africa all-rounder Shaun Pollock

"He has not only been an outstanding player, he's a great bloke as well. He played with absolute freedom and no fear of failure, setting a benchmark that is incredibly difficult for others."
England one-day skipper Paul Collingwood

"Anyone who can reach an average of nearly 50 and have the world record when it comes to catches as a 'keeper - this is an outstanding talent. He's a first-class human being and a great loss to Australian cricket."
Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd

Former Australia opener Michael Slater said: "We're all shocked but I think it's a good decision.

"He was a superstar who changed the face of cricket. He has set a standard for keeper/batsmen that I dodn't think will ever be matched."

Another former Australia opener, Justin Langer, added: "He is one of the best players I have ever played with and the best wicket-keeper/batsman who has ever played the game."

Cricket Australia Chairman Creagh O'Connor paid a fitting tribute to the popular left-hander.

"Adam has unquestionably been Australia's finest ever wicketkeeper batsman," he said.

"He has been a great adornment to the game of cricket and his statistics with bat and gloves speak for themselves.

"His influence on the game has gone well beyond statistics both in terms of the dignity with which he has played the game and his respect for the traditions and the spirit of cricket."


GILCHRIST FACTFILE
1992 New South Wales debut
1996 Australia ODI debut
1998 Maiden ODI century
1999 Test debut for Australia
1999 Maiden ton in 2nd Test
2002 Test highest, 204no
2002 Cricketer of the Year
2003 ODI player of the Year
2004 ODI highest, 172
2004 ODI player of the Year
2006 Passes 5,000 Test runs
2007 Third World Cup title
2007 Aussie dismissals record
2008 World dismissals record