Swansong for the great entertainer

On a day when India managed to restrict Australia to just 260 runs, and Matthew Hayden nudged and drove his way to a 30th Test century in only his 94th game, it would have taken a special player to steal the limelight. But Adam Gilchrist did just that by announcing the end of a Test career without parallel. A day after he went past Mark Boucher for the greatest number of dismissals by a wicketkeeper, Gilchrist chose to walk before he was pushed. There will be no 100th Test. Instead, the Oval will be sold out on Sunday to honour perhaps the greatest allrounder that the game has seen since Sir Garfield Sobers.

Of all his great innings, I'll remember the one in Mumbai (2001) the best. After India had been bowled out for 176, Australia were in terrible strife at 99 for 5, but Gilchrist came out and played the sort of blistering counterattacking innings that only he could. With Hayden showing signs of the colossus that he would become at the other end, the sixth-wicket partnership took the game away from India in just over a session. It was cavalier, it was brilliant, and it was beautiful to watch.

We certainly won't see his like again.

Comments

[Ernie]

Well done Gilly.

Get out on top mate.

You have revolutionised the game and are as big of any star of all time.

Cheers.