Happy birthday Adam Gilchrist: Some unusual records and a few lesser-known facts
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Happy birthday Adam Gilchrist: The most crucial position on the cricket field, inarguably, is that of the wicket-keeper. A safe pair of gloves behind the stumps forms a pivotal part of any successful team. Australia’s unparalleled dominance in the international arena for over a decade has been studied by many pundits, and its architects have received plaudits across the world.
One such architect was Adam Gilchrist, who was the wicket-keeper for Australia almost right through that phase when the team’s performance bordered on invincibility. But, he was no ordinary keeper-batsman; his feats and accomplishments safely assure him of a place in the pantheon of cricketing legends.
Behind the stumps or in front of them, Gilchrist was a force to reckon with. His dignity on and off the field is still an indelible part of his legacy.
Let us relive a few records that proves Adam Gilchrist was one of the greatest Australian cricketers to have graced the field:-
Most centuries by an Australian against Sri Lanka as wicket-keeper
Gilchrist had a special love for performing against Sri Lanka, as he holds the record of smashing the most centuries against the side (7).
While six of the centuries have come in ODIs, only one has come in the Tests.
Interestingly, he has smashed just 16 tons in ODIs.
This proves his dominance against the Lankans.
Only Australian with 100 sixes in Tests
Gilchrist was known for his explosive and prolific batting.
Owing to his very nature of his, he had the tendency to go for the big shots against the bowlers, regardless of the format he played.
In the same light, he holds the record of being the only Australian to hit 100 sixes in the longest format of the game.
Fastest Test century as an Australian
Gilchrist also had a unique tendency to play a fast innings, and playing mostly down in the order in Test cricket, it gave him the freedom to go big.
Consequently, he holds the record to smash the fastest century in the format by an Australian, in just 57 deliveries, against England in Perth, in 2006.
Overall, it is the fourth-fastest in the format.
Most dismissals in an ICC World Cup as wicket-keeper
Besides his lethal batting, Gilchrist was also known for his fine wicket-keeping skills.
As for the same, he also holds a unique record of scripting the most dismissals as a wicket-keeper in an ICC World Cup.
It was during the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, where he scalped 21 dismissals, a record matched by
New Zealand’s Tom Latham in 2019.
Highest score in a World Cup final
Gilchrist was known to be in ruthless form in the World Cup, especially during the final.
Having smashed a record three half-centuries in the final of the three tournament finals he played, his score of 149 is the highest ever score in a World Cup final.
He scripted the record in the 2007 final against Lanka in Barbados, which Australia won by 53 runs.
Some lesser-known things about the Australian great:
Adam Gilchrist Was Born On November 14, 1971, In A Small Town Of Bellingen In New South Wales, Australia.
Gilchrist Has Two Nicknames. He Was Called ‘Gilly’ In The Australian Dressing Room And Was Called ‘Churchy’ By His Close Friends.
His Favourite Destination Is Surprisingly Noosa, Which Is A Small Beach Town In Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
Before Australia’s Tour Of India In 2004, Gilchrist Promised To Dedicate A Century To His Cancer-Stricken Friend. He Scored 104 In The 1st Test And Kept His Word.
Interestingly, Gilchrist Took Up Wicket-Keeping Because Of His Fascination With The Wicket-Keeping Gloves, Its Shape And Size.
Adam Gilchrist Once Admitted His Worst Habit Is Biting Nails.
The Left-Handed Batsman Is The Only Wicket-Keeper To Score At Least Fifty Or More Runs In Three Consecutive World Cup Finals.
Gilchrist held the record for most dismissals by a wicket-keeper in One-Day Internationals, until it was surpassed by Sangakkara in 2015. Gilchrist was also the first player to smash 100 sixes in Test cricket.