Blogs Take a bow - he is the greatest
January 26th, 2008 by googlyprabhakarWhatever may be the result of the fourth test being played in Adelaide between India and Australia, it will always be remembered as Adam Gilchrist’s last test match. A once in a life time phenomenon, I once stood in long queues outside Chennai’s Chepauk Stadium , just to catch a glimpse of him. While with other greats you can always use sentences such as ‘arguably the best batsman’ or ‘probably the best bowler’ , but with Adam Gilchrist there is not even an iota of doubt that he is the ‘greatest’ wicketkeeper - batsman ever. More than that he is one of the greatest cricketers to have played the game , in the true sense of the word. Having played in the strong Australian batting line up, it is amazing that he has scored 17 centuries because it is only rarely that he gets to bat a long time. What this also shows is his ability to counter attack and fight, a quality which some of our superstars can learn from him. Never one to care for statistics, he has regaled crowds the world over with his swashbuckling batting. Let us all wish him a happy retired life.
January 26th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Could not agree with you more googlyprabhakar. Gilly as he is popularly called is the Greatest Wicketkeeper Batsman ever to play the game of Cricket. He also differentiated himself from the rest the Australian Cricketers by consistently demonstrating “gentleman” behavior despite all the aggression in his approach. He did advocate the extinct concept of “walking” when out and not appealing unless he is sure about the outcome.
I am sure all the teams around the world would he happy and sad at the same time. Sad that such a great player would not enter the Tests again and happy that they don’t need to be “scared” of him coming down the order and taring their bowling apart.
One thing to note here though. Gilly is still going to play the ODIs and T20. So, assuming he will focus all his energies in that form of Cricket, god only save the opponent bowlers
January 26th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
I guess I wrote this too soon. Gilly has announced his retirement from ODIs as well. The upcoming CB series would be his last. Good luck India and SL.