You are in > manchester.com  > News > Gilchrist announces retirement

Cricket

Gilchrist announces retirement

26/01/2008

Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

The final Test of the current series against India will be Gilchrist's swansong in the five-day format of the game. He will retire from one-day cricket at the end of the limited overs series with India which follows the Test match.

Gilchrist said: "It is with great pride and happiness that I make the decision to retire from Test and one-day cricket.

"Also thank you to all my team-mates and support staff who have given me the most enjoyable, fun career anyone could hope for and to the many officials and opponents I have come across. It has been terrific to play against you and more importantly get to know you."

Gilchrist's decision brings a glittering career to an end and will have opponents everywhere thankful that they no longer have to face his devastating attacks at the crease.

During the fourth Test with India the 36-year-old also broke the record for the most Test dismissals by a wicketkeeper.

However he will perhaps be remembered best for changing the way wicketkeepers are perceived with the bat.

As an opening batsman in one-day cricket Gilchrist has scored 9,297 runs in 277 matches at a strike rate of 96.90.

Gilchrist rapidly became a batsman capable of taking a game away from the opposition, either putting Australia well ahead and into winning positions, or digging them out of trouble.

Batting at seven in the Test side Gilchrist often was able to defy opposing sides when they felt they had done much of the work dismissing the top order.

His 55 in 61 balls in the first innings of the third Test against India epitomised this ability, putting on 131 runs with Andrew Symonds and Brett Lee when Australia were struggling on 61-5.

Cricket Australia chairman Creagh O'Connor praised Gilchrist for his services to Australian cricket and the influence he has had on the world game.

He said: "Adam has unquestionably been Australia's finest ever wicketkeeper-batsman.

"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's current Test record with the bat stands at 5,556 runs from 95 Tests at an average of 47.89.